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Real members of MGteam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.

If the kidneys tightly regulate the amount of magnesium you release into your body,how can you ingest too much through supplements?

A MGteam Member asked a question 💭
Sydney, AU
April 26
 · 
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Magnesium and Myasthenia Gravis: Is It Safe? 7 Facts To Know Read Article...
A MGteam Member

My neurologist told me that if the magnesium is in a supplement , it is a small amount and OK for me to take. Check with your health care provider. MG is different for everyone. What may be OK for me may not be OK for someone else.

April 28
MGteam

Great question! The kidneys do a solid job regulating magnesium from food, absorbing only about 30–40% of what you consume. However, supplements deliver a concentrated, isolated dose that can overwhelm this system — especially if kidney function isn't perfect.

With food, magnesium comes packaged with other nutrients Show Full Answer

Great question! The kidneys do a solid job regulating magnesium from food, absorbing only about 30–40% of what you consume. However, supplements deliver a concentrated, isolated dose that can overwhelm this system — especially if kidney function isn't perfect.

With food, magnesium comes packaged with other nutrients, slowing absorption naturally. Supplements bypass that balance, flooding the body faster than the kidneys can manage. For people with MG, the bigger concern isn't just the kidneys — it's what excess magnesium does to nerve-muscle communication. Magnesium can block the signals between nerves and muscles, which is especially risky when MG is already disrupting that process.

The most dangerous form is intravenous (IV) magnesium, which goes directly into the bloodstream, completely bypassing the kidneys' filtering role. This can potentially trigger a myasthenic crisis — a serious, life-threatening emergency affecting breathing.

Oral supplements are less risky but still worth discussing with your neurologist before taking.

April 26
A MGteam Member

I understood from reading that magnesium supplements were not good to take with MG.

April 27
A MGteam Member

I had 2 bags of Epsom salt with lavender and had to get rid of it. It is what it is. I'd rather be healthy and found another way to have pretty smelling feet. 😎😅

June 10

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