Tests for magnesium in the serum are not really reliable in the "normal" range. They are only good medically for very very low, or very high values to indicate severe deficiency, or poisoning.

The mid range values do not really relate much to functions that can be measured. You can look this up on the net...as many magnesium experts, seem to agree with this explanation.

For therapeutic use medically extremely high doses are given...for chemo patients and migraine treatments. (often IV forms up to 6 grams a bag.)

That does not mean people should self medicate at those high doses, but it does illustrate that magnesium testing is odd in many ways.

This is quite helpful, Mrs.D. Much appreciated. I find it interesting and curious and may look into it at some point. But at this point I'm just glad I don't have to worry about taking too much or some such thing.

If oral supplements don't work for me/cause digestive upset, I'll keep using epsom salts in the bath and/or lotions/creams.

I was able to buy the bath salts cheaply in a big bulk bag intended for spa flotation tanks. I had a huge bag which I slowly used over the year.

You'd have to look around on the internet for a supplier.

For longterm storage don't store the bath salts in the bathroom, they soak up the moisture in the air and do not store well for as long.

You increase absorption if you use a body brush to brush all the dead skin off before the bath. Good to shower it all off afterwards. Don't soak to hot or more than 40 minutes.

Thanks for this. Makes sense. This is the superb product I'm using, and can also ingest, if need be for a serious laxative. It's 100% pure. I started with the 10 lbs bag even though it's not as cheap.

http://www.amazon.com/Epsoak-Epsom-S...som+salt&psc=1

I meant to ask this: is it normal to get more muscle twitches when first starting oral magnesium (glynicate)? Thank you.

No I don't think so. But magnesium can wear off over hours, and need another dose. Alot of biological systems in the body use magnesium. It is a cofactor for energy production in the mitochondria, for example among many other uses.

The RDA is about 350mg-400mg a day.

Thanks, MrsD. The thing is that the twitching was not really returning, as I didn't have twitching before/haven't for a while, but then I woke up in the middle of the night with twitching after taking the magnesium. But it sounds like you're saying it's unlikely, and like I said I'm having new symptoms or increased symptoms due to the allergic reaction over the weekend, so it's more likely that. I'll keep taking the magnesium and upping it slowly. Thanks again.