Health is the most important part of our lives. We are constantly improving ourselves, finding ways to consume healthy and nutrient-dense foods filled with vitamins and minerals, take supplements, and stay active and on top of every situation. But when that doesn’t work, it is time to take a precautious next step.
Today we are going to delve a bit deeper into the subject of magnesium deficiency. It has been known as one of the best and most popular minerals out there that can be found in both the human body and the earth's crust! It is an amazing mineral that can do wonders for your heart and body, such as maintaining your blood pressure and blood sugar levels to provide strength to your bones. So naturally, when you are not feeling your best self, one of the reasons may be magnesium deficiency.
If you are looking into ways to check the magnesium levels in your body, you have come to the right place! Today we are looking into safe ways to test them, so get ready and keep reading–we hope we can provide you with the options you are looking for!
How to check magnesium levels?
One of the safest and most used ways to test magnesium deficiency is by having your blood drawn. You can consult with your health provider about whether you must take the test in the first place. A blood test is considered to be the most common way of finding out your magnesium levels. But first, you must look into your symptoms before extensive testing. Most commonly, magnesium levels become low at some stages in life, such as being pregnant or having issues with your pregnancy, if you are dealing with diabetes, have issues with your thyroid, or some other health issues. In these cases, the magnesium levels will be low whenever you test them.
However, some of the most common symptoms that can show themselves early in a magnesium deficiency are very common and easy to spot. Some of them include
- Having issues with your muscles, such as spasms, tingling, and a feeling of numbness
- Feeling nauseated, fatigued, having an overall feeling of lightheadedness
- Losing your appetite and having the urge to vomit most (or all) of the time
- Stress, sleepiness, feeling drowsy, and just having a complete feeling of weakness
Now, when you are considering taking a blood test for magnesium deficiency with your physician, don’t be scared. You need to remember that this will be the same as any other blood test you have done before. You would go to the place where your blood is usually taken, you will meet a nurse who would be performing the blood draw, and you will only be left with a tiny little needle sting on your arm. So, there is nothing to worry about! Depending on the work politics of the lab, the results may come in either within the hour, within the day, or the following day (it usually doesn’t take much time). After the results are in, they will be sent to your health provider, and once they get them, they will call you in for a consultation. Depending on the results, you will agree on a preferred approach when it comes to healing (if there is magnesium deficiency in the first place).
How to test for magnesium deficiency at home?
The magnesium in the body is stored in the bones and other places, not the blood, so this is why there might be a couple of different ways to test magnesium deficiency. Some of these tests can be done in the comfort of your own home! However, one of the things that you need to be mindful of is that if you are under constant stress, then the body would send the magnesium out of its regular storing place and into your bloodstream. So, when you decide to take a blood test, it may seem like you have more magnesium than you do. So, if you are looking into alternatives, we can offer you a few; please see below:
- Test magnesium deficiency through your red blood cells;
- Check how much magnesium you are releasing by checking your urine;
- Add some magnesium to your daily routine, then check how much of it goes into your urine;
- Test the magnesium in your cells instead of your blood – this is a very simple test that is done through your oral cavity instead of having someone draw your blood. This particular test is not a common one because it is on the more expensive side.
Please take note of this and talk to your physician about the best way to go to test the levels of magnesium in your body. One of the most used tests after a blood test is the urine test for magnesium levels. It is almost very easy to do, and its results are accurate. So, either way, you will be able to get some correct results and see whether you have magnesium deficiency or not.
Don’t forget that your health should always be your priority. This means that regular check-ups are a must. So, next time you feel like you might lack a nutrient or two, find the best ways to test yourself. And when we are talking specifically about magnesium deficiency, there are a few ways to check your levels that are safe and easy to make, as listed above. If you are thinking about it, put your health first and get tested today!
Have you had your magnesium levels tested before? Did you find the procedure lengthy? How satisfied were you with the correctness of the results? We would love to hear from you – feel free to share your opinion in the comment section below; we look forward to reading your thoughts! Visit our blog to learn more about magnesium and its role in maintaining your health.
