Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.
1
Is any of this happening now?
Call 911
Call emergency services for:
A seizure
Fainting or loss of consciousness
Severe breathing difficulty
Chest pain with a fast or irregular heartbeat
A sustained abnormal heartbeat with severe dizziness or collapse
Other emergency signs, for anyone
Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
2
Is any of this happening?
Be seen today
Seek urgent medical advice if palpitations are new, prolonged, or accompanied by light-headedness.
Urgent assessment is also appropriate for worsening muscle spasms, marked weakness, confusion, or an inability to keep fluids down.
These symptoms do not always mean magnesium deficiency, but they need prompt assessment.
3
Does any of this apply?
Book an appointment
Arrange a routine medical appointment if you have persistent muscle cramps, tremor, weakness, tingling, or palpitations, especially if you also have ongoing diarrhea, repeated vomiting, poor food intake, diabetes, digestive disease, or a medicine that can lower magnesium.
You should also seek routine follow-up if a previous blood test showed low magnesium.
Repeat testing may be needed even if you feel well.
Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Magnesium deficiency. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.