Magnesium Deficiency in Fibromyalgia Syndrome

Since patients with either fibromyalgia syndrome (FS) or low magnesium (Mg) levels can have fatigue, sleep disturbance and anxiety, it was necessary to determine if some patients with FS also have low Mg levels. Both red blood cell (RBC) and plasma Mg levels were measured in 100 consecutive FS patients and 12 osteoarthritis (OA) control patients. Compared to reference laboratory and OA controls, FS patients had significantly lower RBC Mg levels. The plasma Mg levels of FS patients were no different than the reference laboratory or OA controls. Some FS patients have low Mg levels, a problem that is potentially correctable.