Reading a post by Gabes today inspired me to write this.
Dr. Carolyn Dean has pointed out that the so-called "normal" range for the RBC magnesium test is skewed because 80 % of the people whose test data were used to derive that range are now known to actually be magnesium deficient. In view of that, the actual "target" range should be higher than the so-called "normal" range. The value she supports is 6.0–6.5 mg/dL.
Well, if that's logical, and it certainly appears to be, then the serum magnesium test so-called "normal" range is also skewed. And my own personal experience bears that out. Despite having magnesium deficiency symptoms for years, my serum test results were always in the "normal" range. Only when my magnesium deficiency symptoms became so severe that I was losing an average of 2 pounds every week, and eventually my vital signs took a nosedive, prompting me to go to the ER, did my serum magnesium test actually show a deficiency. And the only reason it showed a deficiency was because I felt so badly that I couldn't eat breakfast that day and so I didn't take any magnesium supplements that morning. If I had taken a supplement I'm certain that my test result would have been normal (as usual).
And even on that day, with all the severe symptoms, my result was 1.7 mg/dL, only 0.1 mg/dL below the so-called "normal" range of 1.8–2.4 mg/dL. Clearly that "normal" range leaves a lot to be desired.
Fast forward to Sunday a week ago (March 5, 2017) when I made an ER visit because of a heart arrythmia. As soon as I noticed that my heart was skipping beats, I cut my magnesium dose in half, in case that was part of the problem. I had been taking 600 mg of magnesium glycinate per day, scattered throughout the day with meals. But after cutting my dose in half, I began to have breathing difficulty. Breathing difficulty was the main reason why I had been taking so much magnesium in the first place.
The ER doc sent me home wearing a heart monitor (to be worn for a week). For the next several days (on my doctor's advice), I continued to try to get by with less magnesium. The first day, I took 300 mg, and because my breathing difficulties were becoming worse, the next day I took 400 mg of magnesium. But when I went to bed, I couldn't sleep. I was wide awake because of strained breathing and anxiety, both classic magnesium deficiency symptoms. So I finally got up and took 100 mg of magnesium glycinate, and within an hour my breathing was much better and I had relaxed enough that I could finally get to sleep. I got about 3 hours of sleep. The next night I managed to fall asleep and get a fair night's rest without having to get up and take magnesium. So the following day I again tried to get by on 400 mg of magnesium, but I couldn't get to sleep. I finally had to get up and take a magnesium tablet about 3 am, in order to be able to breathe well enough to get to sleep.
After that I took 500 mg of magnesium glycinate each day and my breathing steadily improved. So did my sleep. Problem solved. After a few days I noticed that my heart seemed to be beating normally again, without skipping beats.
But here's the problem: The flawed ER (serum) magnesium test result confirmed my fear that my magnesium supplementation rate might have been to high. The test result was flagged at 2.6 mg/dL, 0.2 mg/dL above "normal". I should have known better, but one always hopes that the doctors taking care of you sort of know what they're doing. So I took only 300 mg of magnesium on Monday and saw my PCP on Tuesday. He ordered a serum (naturally) magnesium test and it showed 2.3 mg/dL (barely within the so-called "normal" range. So this is why he recommended continuing the magnesium dosage at about 300 mg per day. But now that I'm back up to 500 mg per day (in order to be able to breathe normally) I have a hunch that my serum magnesium level is back above the "normal" range. If it's not, then something weird is going on with the test results. Clearly the "normal" range is not normal for me. And I have a hunch that it's not normal for anyone because of the fact that it's based on flawed data.
At least that's the way I see it.
Tex
The "Normal" Range For Serum Magnesium Testing
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
The "Normal" Range For Serum Magnesium Testing
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
I completely agree with you Tex....flawed data.....I vote for the higher Mag levels. The way people are healing at this site is a testament to the truth of better levels of certain vitamins and minerals in our diets whether we have colitis or not.
Hugs
Erica
Hugs
Erica
To Succeed you have to Believe in something with such a passion that it becomes a Reality - Anita Roddick
Dx LC April 2012 had symptoms since Aug 2007
Dx LC April 2012 had symptoms since Aug 2007
Please keep us updated on what you think caused your heart to beat slower than your usual.....I'm so curious about this.Vanessa,
The decrease in heart rate was due to skipped beats. It's back up in the 70s now, where it should be. I have a suspect in mind, but it contradicts medical research claims, so I'd like to see the results of the cardiologist's analysis of the monitor recording before I start making outlandish claims (as if that ever kept me from making outlandish claims before).
Tex
The decrease in heart rate was due to skipped beats. It's back up in the 70s now, where it should be. I have a suspect in mind, but it contradicts medical research claims, so I'd like to see the results of the cardiologist's analysis of the monitor recording before I start making outlandish claims (as if that ever kept me from making outlandish claims before).
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.