What harm does magnesium do to the human body

Magnesium is an essential trace element for our body, but the content of this rare element is very low. Once it exceeds the standard, it will seriously harm our body. If we go to the hospital for a blood test and the magnesium content is too high, we may suffer from hypermagnesemia. The most direct manifestation is a decrease in excretion. In severe cases, it affects our kidney function. Therefore, once this symptom appears, you must go to the hospital for a thorough examination and early treatment.

When the serum magnesium concentration exceeds the normal value, it is called hypermagnesemia, which means that the blood Mg2+>1.25mmoL/L. Except for a few iatrogenic factors that cause excessive magnesium to enter the body, most of them are caused by reduced excretion due to renal dysfunction. Like hypomagnesemia, serum magnesium concentration is not a reliable indicator of increased magnesium, because 25% of the magnesium in serum is bound to protein, and this part of magnesium does not exert a physiological effect; magnesium ions are mainly in cells, so when the body's magnesium content increases, serum magnesium can be within the normal range. But in general, hypermagnesemia is consistent with the degree of increased magnesium in the body. Just as the kidneys have a certain delayed effect in regulating sodium ions, potassium ions, and bicarbonate ions, the kidneys' regulation of magnesium does not immediately play a significant role. Therefore, large amounts of intravenous magnesium preparations can cause severe hypermagnesemia if not carefully monitored. If combined with renal dysfunction, our renal function will also be affected, so we should pay more attention to it.

Magnesium in the body is mainly excreted through the kidneys. Except for the oliguria stage of acute renal failure, which is mostly accompanied by hypermagnesemia, patients with chronic renal failure will only have increased blood magnesium when it develops to a severe stage. It has been reported that the renal inulin clearance rate can be reduced to 10ml/min and the excretion of magnesium can be basically maintained. However, if patients with renal dysfunction take excessive amounts of magnesium preparations, it is very likely to develop hypermagnesemia.

Both thyroxine and aldosterone have the effect of reducing the reabsorption of magnesium by the renal tubules and promoting its excretion through the kidneys. Therefore, patients with fluid edema and adrenal cortical insufficiency (Addison's disease) may develop hypermagnesemia.

The clinical manifestations of hypermagnesemia are related to the amplitude and speed of increase in serum magnesium. Those with rapid increases in a short period of time have more severe clinical symptoms. Generally, the early manifestations include loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, skin flushing, headache, dizziness, etc. Due to the lack of specificity, it is easy to be ignored. When the serum magnesium concentration reaches 2-4mmoL/L, the human nervous system and muscle system will have problems.

What is the matter with high magnesium levels? I believe that through the above introduction, we all have a certain understanding of high magnesium levels. Therefore, we must pay more attention to it in our lives. Do not consume excessive amounts of magnesium, otherwise it will cause hypermagnesemia, which is very difficult to treat.