Low Blood Magnesium

Low blood magnesium, called hypomagnesemia, occurs when the levels of this mineral drop below normal. Magnesium takes part in the function of muscles, nerves, and the heart, so its deficiency can cause various complaints.

Common symptoms: Cramps or muscle twitching, weakness, fatigue, tingling and, in significant cases, heart rhythm disturbances.

Common causes: Digestive losses from diarrhea, kidney problems, alcoholism, poor diet, or the use of certain medications.

When to seek care? When symptoms are intense or low levels are detected on a lab test, it is worth looking for the cause.

Which specialist treats it? The internist and the general practitioner assess the overall picture; the nephrologist steps in when there is an underlying kidney problem, and the emergency physician handles acute cases. In the face of persistent cramps or abnormal results, a professional evaluation helps correct the imbalance safely.