Discharge Instructions for Hypomagnesemia

You have been diagnosed with hypomagnesemia. This means you do not have enough magnesium in your blood. Magnesium is a mineral. It helps your body work normally. It helps you form bones. It helps muscles and nerves work. And it helps enzymes and hormones work. A very low magnesium level can lead to seizures and abnormal heart rhythms. And it can lead to heart attack. Other symptoms can include: 

• Nausea or vomiting

• Sleepiness

• Weakness

• Personality changes

• Muscle spasms or tremors

• Loss of appetite

Diet Changes

You will need to eat more foods that contain magnesium. These include:

• Dark green, leafy vegetables, such as salad greens, kale, chard, and collards

• All nuts and nut butters, including peanuts, almonds, pecans, cashews, Brazil nuts, macadamia nuts, peanut butter, and almond butter

• Sunflower seeds

• Soy products, including tofu and soy milk

• Millet, including puffed millet cereal

• Brown rice, including brown rice cakes

• Avocado, including guacamole

• Dried apricots

• Bran cereals

• Chocolate and cocoa powder

• Meal replacement bars and drinks 

Other Home Care

• Take a magnesium supplement as advised.

• Have your magnesium levels checked as often as advised. This is important if you are taking a diuretic. This is a type of medication. It helps flush water from the body.

• Tell your doctor about all the medications you take. This includes prescribed and over-the-counter medications. Some of these can lower your magnesium levels.

• Take all medications as directed.

• Take your pulse as often as advised. Call your doctor if your pulse rate is higher than 100 beats per minute.

• Ask if you need to take a calcium supplement. If your magnesium level is low, you may be low in calcium.

Follow-Up

Make follow-up appointments as advised by our staff. Your doctor will need to watch your condition closely. You may need extra care if you have a health condition that causes your hypomagnesemia.