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This part of the website gives you the chance to ask Dr. Rybacki a question about your medicines, or medicines that a loved one might be taking. To submit a question for possible selection, please click here.
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A: This is possible, but a more likely reason a magnesium is being checked is because your doctor knows that the water pill (also known as a diuretic) may also be causing you to lose magnesium and potassium. Diuretics help remove unwanted water from your body which can lead to ankle swelling (edema) and an increase in blood pressure. Unfortunately, as the water goes to the urine, potassium and magnesium can go with it. Your doctor is making sure that critical elements your body needs are staying just at the right levels.
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| Q: I take a water pill called hydrochlorothiazide. I also take a potassium medicine because the water pill makes me more likely to lose potassium. This last time, my doctor took more blood and told me she was going to check a magnesium with the other tests she usually orders every six months. Do I have a problem with magnesium in my diet? |
1. Young, LW. Applied Therapeutics, Eigth Edition. 2004.
2. Applied Therapeutics, Inc., Vancouver.
Ruml, LA. Effect of Potassium...on Thiazide-induced...magnesium loss. 1999 AM J Kidney Dis. Jul;34(1):107-113.
3 .Rybacki, JJ. The Essential Guide to Prescription Drugs, 24th edition, 2006. HarperCollins, New York.
4. Micromedex (Drugdex). Volume 125, CD-ROM. Expires June 2006.
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Copyright © May 2006, The Medicine Information Institute