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Suggest Dosage Of Magnesium Supplements For Constipation

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Posted on Tue, 14 Jun 2016
Question: I am 65 years old and in very good general health. I have constipation and have been taking 1000 mg of magnesium supplement. Also 3 tablets of colace daily as a stool softner. The combination works mostly ok. My question is is this too much magnesium or colace on a continuous basis? Also once a week, can I take 1500 mg of magnesium?
XXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (22 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Daily recommended magnesium is 420mg for your age!

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.

Colace is mainly for stools and as long as the stools are well formed, not loose and no diarrhea, there is no problem with the daily quantity you take. How much of Colace you take is greatly determined by the nature of your stools.

For magnesium, I will recommend that you take 500mg daily as this is closest to the recommended daily amount. Have you ever had your blood calcium levels evaluated?


I hope this helps. I wish you well. Feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be. Above all, thanks for using our services.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ivo Ditah (4 days later)
Thank you Dr Ditah.
I had my blood calcium checked under comprehensive metabolic panel. It has been around 9.3 which is in the expected range of 8.5 to 10.5 mg/dl.
500 mg magnesium does not solve my constipation problem. 1000 mg does. The majority of the magnesium is magnesium oxide. Is there a problem with 1000 mg? Once a week, can I take 1500 mg. I understand that magnesium is very good for health in general also.
XXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (35 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
That’s’ fine. Go on with the 1000mg then!

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for this follow up.

I will say go with the 1000-mg. The main goal is to achieve good health and not all the numbers that we put out there. What works best for you should be upheld and not criticized.

Keep me updated and let me know if you have any further worries.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Ivo Ditah

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :2002

Answered : 3984 Questions

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Suggest Dosage Of Magnesium Supplements For Constipation

Brief Answer: Daily recommended magnesium is 420mg for your age! Detailed Answer: Hi and thank you so much for this query. Colace is mainly for stools and as long as the stools are well formed, not loose and no diarrhea, there is no problem with the daily quantity you take. How much of Colace you take is greatly determined by the nature of your stools. For magnesium, I will recommend that you take 500mg daily as this is closest to the recommended daily amount. Have you ever had your blood calcium levels evaluated? I hope this helps. I wish you well. Feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be. Above all, thanks for using our services.