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Low Magnesium Level Discharge Instructions


About this topic


A low level of magnesium in the blood is hypomagnesia. Magnesium is an electrolyte that you get from the foods you eat. It helps keep normal activity in your nerve and muscle cells. It is important to your heart and bones. Magnesium is needed to help your body make certain hormones. It helps maintain your blood sugar and blood pressure levels. Low magnesium levels can lead to low calcium levels as well. ‚  
Your doctor will work to treat any hidden cause. You may need to take drugs to help raise the magnesium in your blood. You may be in the hospital until your levels are back to normal. ‚  

What care is needed at home?


  • Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
  • Limit beer, wine, and mixed drinks (alcohol).

What follow-up care is needed?


Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. You may need another test to check the magnesium level in your blood. ‚  

What drugs may be needed?


The doctor may order drugs to: ‚  
  • Raise the magnesium levels in your blood
  • Change certain hormone levels in your body
  • Treat the cause of your low magnesium

Will physical activity be limited?


Rest for the first few days. Avoid hard activities like heavy lifting and hard exercise. ‚  

What changes to diet are needed?


Talk to your doctor or dietitian about your personal diet plan. Ask if you need to eat more foods high in magnesium. Some of them include nuts, spinach, and other green leafy vegetables, and whole grains like oatmeal, wheat bran, or bran flakes. Dried beans, dried apricots, and avocados are also high in magnesium. ‚  

When do I need to call the doctor?


  • Cramping or twitching of the muscles
  • Upset stomach and throwing up
  • Confusion
  • Feeling weak or tired
  • Abnormal heartbeat
  • Chest pain
  • Seizure

Teach Back: Helping You Understand


The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚  
  • I can tell you about my condition.
  • I can tell you what changes I need to make with my diet.
  • I can tell you what I will do if I have cramping or twitching of my muscles.

Where can I learn more?


American Association for Clinical Chemistry ‚  
https://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/magnesium/tab/test/ ‚  
National Institutes of Health ‚  
https://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/magnesium/tab/test/ ‚  

Last Reviewed Date


2015-08-04 ‚  

List_set bdysylist


  • Endocrine and Metabolic

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer


This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care provider 's advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚  

Copyright


Copyright ‚ © 2016 Wolters Kluwer Clinical Drug Information, Inc. and its affiliates and/or licensors. All rights reserved. ‚  
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