Magnesium Overdose is Real
Find Out if You Are At Risk

Magnesium Overdose is real, but is extremely rare - and for the vast majority of people, is never going to be an issue no matter how much magnesium you take. Magnesium is a water soluble mineral and the body readily excretes any excess in the urine, feces and sweat. And this is where the problem of magnesium toxicity lies.

Anyone with a problem of being unable to eliminate magnesium has the potential to overdose on this otherwise extremely safe substance. When this overdose on magnesium does occur, it is called by several different names, including:

Overdose on Magnesium

Magnesium Toxicity

Hypermagnesemia

any and all of these terms mean the same thing, with the term Hypermagnesemia specifically referring to high Magnesium Blood Levels.

Who Is At Risk For a Magnesium Overdose

This type of problem is almost EXCLUSIVELY in those with impaired kidney function, which includes those who have:

Kidney Failure

Renal Failure

Are On Dialysis

OR

See a Kidney Doctor or Nephrologist

Then you need to speak to your doctor before you start any magnesium therapy as there is an extremely high risk for you to have a Magnesium Overdose. This is ONLY a problem in those with impaired kidney FUNCTION and is not a problem for those with NORMAL FUNCTION but who get recurring kidney infections (which are usually BLADDER infections and not KIDNEY infections). Magnesium ingestion is also not a problem for those who get recurring kidney stones. In fact, those who are calcium oxalate kidney stone formers can often benefit from the addition of magnesium supplements.

Symptoms of Magnesium Overdose

There are many symptoms of magnesium toxicity, most of which are non-specific and can mimic other health problems. Symptoms can start with simple nausea and weakness, then progressively worsen from that. Later, people can get any number of symptoms including neurologic problems like:

Confusion
Extreme musculoskeletal weakness
Slurred Speech

Low Blood Pressure

Low Pulse

If this continues, then it can finally lead to:

Low Temperature

Stopped breathing

Cardiopulmonary arrest

Death

Who is at Risk for Magnesium Overdose

While magnesium administration is safe for most people, even people with normal kidney function HAVE overdosed on magnesium. Usually, these people had one or more of the risk factors for an overdose. You should be cautious about taking magnesium if you are already taking medications- particularly those that contain magnesium such as antacids or magnesium containing laxatives.

The elderly are at particular risk for many reasons. They can easily take an incorrect dosage, they are often taking other medications, they tend to have more kidney and bowel issues than others and tend to get more dehydrated more quickly- all of which are risk factors for magnesium toxicity.

So, you should be extra cautious for magnesium overdose symptoms particularly if you:

Are Elderly

Have gastrointestinal problems that SLOW transit time such as chronic constipation

Are dehydrated or are not able to take as much fluids as normal

Are taking other medications, particularly laxatives, antacids or narcotics

And while there are several Epsom Salt Uses, you should never swallow Epsom salts as a cleanse or use an Epsom salt solution in an enema. These situations have been the most common reasons for magnesium toxicity in people without kidney problems and should be avoided because of their high risk.

Other Magnesium Contraindications

There are other reasons why magnesium should not be taken by certain people, even though there is no more risk of Magnesium Overdose than anyone else, there can be problems from taking magnesium.

Those with myasthenia gravis or other neuromuscular transmission disorders can get profound weakness and muscular problems after taking magnesium supplements- even though it is not because of magnesium toxicity. They should not take magnesium unless under the direction of their doctor.

Atrial Fibrillation

Those with current Atrial Fibrillation have the possibility of 'converting' their atrial fibrillation into a normal rhythm by taking a high dosage of magnesium. While this may seem desirable, there is a high risk of having a blood clot ejected from the heart and into the general circulation. This could cause a life threatening condition of a heart attack, stroke or pulmonary embolism. If you have atrial fibrillation, your cardiologist should be directing your magnesium supplementation.

For the vast majority of the population, if you follow the guidelines above and know what your risk is- then Hypermagnesemia is extremely unlikely. In fact, the vast majority of people experience Magnesium Deficiency Symptoms and can benefit from additional magnesium. Know your risk of a Magnesium Overdose, know the symptoms of an overdose and carefully monitor your intake and you can enjoy the health benefits that increasing your magnesium intake can give you- while minimizing the risks. Keep reading to find out how to take a safe magnesium dosage.

Next --->
Magnesium Dosage

Magnesium Resources

Transdermal Magnesium Gel- Just rub this magnesium into your skin and Voila- an instant magnesium supplement, no pills required. Great for localized pain conditions such as low back pain and carpal tunnel syndrome.

Transdermal Magnesium The Book- See the science behind how and why transdermal magnesium is able to work so well.

Magnesium Medicine- Hospitals and emergency rooms rely on the medicinal power of magnesium. Learn why you should too.

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Research on Magnesium Overdose

Magnesium therapy of cardiac arrhythmias in critical-care medicineLi

Iatrogenic magnesium overdose: two case reports

Hypermagnesemia-induced cardiopulmonary arrest before induction of anesthesia for emergency cesarean section

Fatal hypermagnesemia caused by an Epsom salt enema: a case illustration

Hypermagnesemia following an acute ingestion of Epsom salt in a patient with normal renal function

Antacid-induced hypermagnesemia in a patient with normal renal function and bowel obstruction

Hypermagnesemia