What are the 10 signs of high magnesium?

Author: Germaine Greenholt  |  Last update: Friday, September 26, 2025

If the body has absorbed too much magnesium, a person may notice any of the following symptoms, which can range from mild to very severe:
  • lethargy.
  • facial flushing.
  • diarrhea.
  • nausea.
  • stomach cramps.
  • vomiting.
  • depression.
  • muscle weakness.

What are the warning signs of too much magnesium?

Symptoms of magnesium toxicity, which usually develop after serum concentrations exceed 1.74–2.61 mmol/L, can include hypotension, nausea, vomiting, facial flushing, retention of urine, ileus, depression, and lethargy before progressing to muscle weakness, difficulty breathing, extreme hypotension, irregular heartbeat, ...

How to bring magnesium levels down?

Intravenous calcium, diuretics, or water pills may also be used to help the body get rid of excess magnesium. People with renal dysfunction or those who have had a severe magnesium overdose may require dialysis if they are experiencing kidney failure, or if magnesium levels are still rising after treatment.

What happens when your magnesium is too high?

Severe hypermagnesemia (levels greater than 12 mg/dL) can lead to cardiovascular complications (hypotension, and arrhythmias) and neurological disorder (confusion and lethargy). Higher values of serum magnesium (exceeding 15 mg/dL) can induce cardiorespiratory arrest and coma.

What organ is most affected by magnesium?

Causes. Every organ in the body, especially the heart, muscles, and kidneys, needs the mineral magnesium. It also contributes to the makeup of teeth and bones. Magnesium is needed for many functions in the body.

10 Signs Your Body Needs More Magnesium

What drains magnesium from your body?

A high-saturated fat diet reduces magnesium absorption in the intestines. High sugar intake increases excretion of magnesium by the kidneys. Phosphates found in carbonated beverages such as dark-colored sodas bind magnesium, rendering it unusable by the body.

What medication cannot be taken with magnesium?

When choosing a supplement, look for independently tested products and consult a healthcare provider, registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN or RD), or pharmacist.
  • Some Antibiotics. ...
  • Bisphosphonates. ...
  • Blood Pressure Medications. ...
  • Certain Diabetes Drugs. ...
  • Digoxin. ...
  • Diuretics. ...
  • Penicillamine. ...
  • Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs)

What vitamins should not be taken with magnesium?

Don't use calcium, zinc, or magnesium supplements at the same time. Also, these three minerals are easier on your tummy when you take them with food, so if your doctor recommends them, have them at different meals or snacks.

Is 500mg of magnesium a day too much?

Doses less than 350 mg daily are safe for most adults. In some people, magnesium might cause stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and other side effects. When taken in very large amounts (greater than 350 mg daily), magnesium is POSSIBLY UNSAFE.

What reverses high magnesium?

Treatment of Hypermagnesemia

People with severe hypermagnesemia are given calcium gluconate by vein (intravenously) to block the toxic effect of increased levels of magnesium.

Does coffee flush out magnesium?

How do coffee and alcohol affect Magnesium? Because coffee is a diuretic, it causes your body to flush out magnesium quickly, meaning that your body doesn't have enough time to properly break down the mineral and make the most of it.

What foods to avoid if magnesium is high?

Diet changes

You will need to limit all foods that have magnesium. These include: Dark green, leafy vegetables, including salad greens, spinach, collards, kale, and chard. All nuts and nut products, including peanuts, almonds, walnuts, pecans, cashews, Brazil nuts, macadamia nuts, peanut butter, and almond butter.

Do you pee out excess magnesium?

People do not get too much magnesium through diet alone because the kidneys excrete excess magnesium into the urine. 2 However, if taking magnesium supplements or medications that contain magnesium, it is possible to take too much and have health consequences.

What drink is high in magnesium?

What drink increases magnesium? Juices containing plenty of whole fruits and veggies may have a good amount of magnesium. Milk has 24-27 milligrams per cup. Water from your tap as well as mineral or bottled waters also could give you a good amount of magnesium if you drink the recommended two liters a day.

How to test magnesium levels at home?

You can conveniently measure your serum magnesium levels with our at-home Magnesium Blood Test kit. You'll receive everything you need to take a blood sample using a finger prick test kit and return your sample to our lab, to receive your result within 2 working days.

What is bad to mix with magnesium?

Certain diuretics, long-term use of proton pump inhibitors, and high doses of zinc can lower magnesium levels in the body. Calcium can also interfere with magnesium absorption if they're taken at the same time. In some cases, you can avoid a magnesium interaction by separating the two products by several hours.

Which two vitamins should not be taken together?

7 Supplement Combos You Should Never Take Together, According to Dietitians
  • Zinc & Calcium.
  • Iron & Zinc.
  • Iron & Calcium.
  • Magnesium & Zinc.
  • St. John's Wort & Serotonin Supplements.
  • Ginkgo Biloba & Fish Oil.
  • St. John's Wort & Ginseng.
  • Things to Consider.

Is it OK to take vitamin D and magnesium together?

Yes. For most people, it's probably best to take both vitamin D and magnesium together. Patients can use GoodRx to save up to 40% on OneTouch Ultra Strips. You can't properly metabolize vitamin D without the right level of magnesium.

What does too much magnesium feel like?

Magnesium is essential for well-being, but too much can cause problems, including digestive issues, lethargy, and an irregular heartbeat. In rare cases, a magnesium overdose can be fatal. Magnesium toxicity is rare in otherwise healthy people, and levels are more likely to be low than high.

How long until magnesium wears off?

How long do magnesium supplements actually remain in our bodies? Well, most magnesium will stay in your system for anywhere between 12 and 48 hours. Within hours of taking a magnesium supplement, most people will have excreted around. 70% of that magnesium content.

What should I take if my magnesium is high?

An IV of calcium that can help calm some symptoms. Calcium helps normalize your heartbeat and breathing. Getting rid of the excess magnesium with water pills, diuretics or other forms of calcium.

Is there a downside to taking magnesium?

More common side effects from magnesium include upset stomach and diarrhea. Magnesium competes with calcium for absorption and can cause a calcium deficiency if calcium levels are already low. Some medications may lower magnesium levels in the body.

How to remove excess magnesium from body at home?

If you have a mild magnesium overdose and normal kidney function, the typical treatment is simply to stop taking any magnesium supplements to give your body time to excrete the excess magnesium.

What food is highest in magnesium?

Magnesium-Rich Foods
  • Soy products (milk, flour, tofu)
  • Legumes and seeds.
  • Nuts (almonds, cashews, Brazil nuts)
  • Peanuts and peanut butter.
  • Whole grain breads and cereals (brown rice, millet)
  • Fruit (bananas, dried apricots, etc.)

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