Magnesium Deficiency: Symptoms, Causes, and What to Do About It

When your body doesn’t get enough magnesium, a vital mineral that supports over 300 enzyme reactions, including muscle function, nerve signaling, and energy production. Also known as hypomagnesemia, it’s not just about muscle cramps—it can quietly mess with your heart rhythm, sleep, and even your mood. Many people assume they’re getting enough from their diet, but modern food processing, stress, and certain medications drain magnesium faster than most realize.

Magnesium deficiency often shows up as unexplained fatigue, frequent muscle spasms, or irregular heartbeat. It’s not rare—it’s hiding in plain sight. People on long-term diuretics like indapamide, a blood pressure medication that flushes out electrolytes, or those taking proton pump inhibitors for acid reflux are at higher risk. Even high sugar intake and excessive alcohol can deplete your stores. And here’s the catch: standard blood tests often miss it because most magnesium lives inside your cells, not your bloodstream. That’s why you might feel off—even if your lab results look "normal."

It’s also tied to other health issues you might not connect. Low magnesium can make SSRIs less effective, worsen sleep problems, and even amplify side effects from medications like digoxin, a heart drug that becomes dangerously unpredictable when magnesium levels drop. If you’re on any of these meds and feel unusually tired, jittery, or your muscles won’t stop twitching, it’s worth asking your doctor about magnesium.

Fixing it isn’t about popping a random supplement. You need the right form—magnesium glycinate for sleep and anxiety, magnesium citrate for constipation, or magnesium malate for energy. Food sources like spinach, almonds, black beans, and avocado help, but if you’re deficient, diet alone won’t cut it. And don’t just guess your dose—too much can cause diarrhea or worse. The goal is balance, not overload.

Below, you’ll find real, practical guides on how magnesium interacts with common medications, why it’s linked to conditions like chronic fatigue and muscle pain, and how to spot the signs before they turn into bigger problems. No fluff. Just what you need to know to protect your health.