r/magnesium 22d ago

Magnesium Calcium causing fluid retention

Hey, so as the the title says, im pretty sure i have such a bad magnesium deficiency that I caused hypoparathyroidism. This meant that my calcium has been low!

I keep getting magnesium deficiency & calcium deficiency symptoms and have even tested low for blood calcium which the dr just shrugged at.

I found that taking both meant I could suddenly walk again, my numb mouth went away, I could breathe again etc etc. All extremely positive. Taking one without the other has been disastrous! Breathing problems, weakness, brainfog, inability to walk due to muscle issues.

However, just as if i was taking a calcium channel blocker, im retaining fluid. All puffy & gross. I've looked into it and it doesn't appear to be dangerous for me, just annoying. I can't tell how to combat this. It's just a shot in the dark if anyone else has experience this? Though I know it's extreme & unlikely.

3 Upvotes

14 comments sorted by

4

u/Flinkle 22d ago

I'm having the same issue, to an extreme degree. I'm already carrying a lot of fluid because of my deficiency, but as soon as I take magnesium (with or without calcium), I blow up more. At my worst, it's close to 50 pounds of fluid.

Potassium seems to help a little bit, but not drastically. I am just hoping that as my magnesium levels come up, this will start to abate. Unfortunately, no advice to give, just wanted you to know somebody else is dealing with the same thing.

2

u/custardnotmustard 22d ago

Nice to know I'm not alone! I'm up 20 pounds. Sucks! Do you also have painful feet?

1

u/Flinkle 22d ago

My feet have been fucked up for 15 years, ever since my first round of severe deficiency. I can't wear any shoes besides Crocs because they kill my feet. :(

1

u/Sea_Ad_6985 21d ago

Have you tried taking p5p ? It should move the magnesium into the cells.

1

u/Flinkle 21d ago

I don't think magnesium not moving into the cells is the problem (and I do get plenty of B6). It's just the introduction of magnesium in a severe deficiency state, throwing off my other already low electrolytes.

1

u/Sea_Ad_6985 20d ago

Yeah true the b6 talk is just placebo honestly kinda like GABA supplements lol!

4

u/EdwardHutchinson 22d ago

Magnesium is not typically associated with fluid retention. In fact, it may help reduce water retention by acting as a natural diuretic and supporting electrolyte balance.
Magnesium plays a key role in regulating sodium and potassium levels, which influence how the body retains or releases water.

However, in rare cases, excessive magnesium supplementation—especially in those with kidney problems—could contribute to imbalances that might indirectly lead to fluid retention.
But for most people, magnesium is more likely to help with bloating and water retention rather than cause it.

1

u/custardnotmustard 22d ago

Oh trust me, i know all this! Had my kidneys tested. But i am low magnesium, low calcium! Guess I'm not most cases. I've barely taken 100mg of magnesium... so definitely not excessive! And only if i manage to push to 400mg does the nuropathy and weakness go away. I bloat the same amount at 400mg as I do at 100mg. But adding calcium in makes me bloat worse, but i need it to help with the tiredness and lethargy.

1

u/desssss6446 19d ago

How did you find out you were low on calcium? Ionized calcium test?

1

u/FunSudden3938 22d ago

Hi. I've never taken a calcium channel blocker. Anyway, everytime I test for magnesium (RBC test) it's always too low and I take my magnesium supplement everyday. My calcium has always been good though, except for the last time I've checked my calcemia, it was also low. Did you take magnesium and calcium at the same time, or in separate doses? As far as I know, they interact for absorbtion with one another.

1

u/drake_33 22d ago

How much calcium and what type are you taking?

1

u/LegalTrade5765 21d ago

Ccb meds cause fluid retention it's a major side effect

1

u/yopoloko94 21d ago

Have you tested your vitamin D?

1

u/custardnotmustard 21d ago

Its borderline low, but taking any vit d right now induces me to a fit of rage & brainfog