What is an optimal magnesium level?
The short answer
Optimal magnesium is above 2 mg/dL, as stated on video.
Most labs call magnesium low only under 1.7. So your report can come back normal at 1.9 while you sit under the optimal floor.
“normal quote normal serum magnesium levels are about 1.8 to 2.3 but I think anything under two is linked to increased health risks and Optimum level should be over two so if you're getting a serum magnesium it should be over two”
Not every source agrees with that line.
“so our body will just continually pull from our bones to prevent magnesium levels from going below 0.7 m per liter for this reason plasma magnesium is not a good indicator of magnesium status for most healthy adults”
What each range means
- under 1.7 mg/dL Most labs flag this as low
- 1.7–2 mg/dL Normal on most reports. Below optimal Dr. Mark Hyman · 11:58 →
- above 2 mg/dL Optimal
What magnesium measures
The magnesium moving through your blood — a small fraction of what your bones and muscles hold.
Your tissue holds most of it, so the blood level can look fine while your stores run low.
Checked against MedlinePlus — Magnesium Blood Test.
Why it matters, on the record
“normal quote normal serum magnesium levels are about 1.8 to 2.3 but I think anything under two is linked to increased health risks and Optimum level should be over two so if you're getting a serum magnesium it should be over two”
Common questions
What is an optimal magnesium level?
Above 2 mg/dL, from a quote on video (Dr. Mark Hyman, 11:58).
What is a normal magnesium level?
Most US labs print 1.7–2.2 mg/dL. Your report grades you against that range. It exists to catch disease, not to describe your best.
What does your magnesium number mean?
On a typical lab range, under 1.7 mg/dL is low, 1.7 to 2.2 is normal and over 2.2 is high. Your own report prints its range next to your number, and that is the one your lab uses. The optimal range on this page comes with the quote behind it.
Is magnesium of 1.9 normal?
A typical lab range calls it normal. On video, the optimal floor is 2 mg/dL (Dr. Mark Hyman, 11:58), so by that line it is low. Not every source agrees with that line.
Do the sources agree?
No. There is also a case for a different line: “so our body will just continually pull from our bones to prevent magnesium levels from going below 0.7 m per liter for this reason plasma magnesium is not a good indicator of magnesium status for most healthy adults” (Dr. Rhonda Patrick, 10:21)
What does the magnesium test measure?
The magnesium moving through your blood — a small fraction of what your bones and muscles hold. Your tissue holds most of it, so the blood level can look fine while your stores run low.
Where the record disagrees
“so our body will just continually pull from our bones to prevent magnesium levels from going below 0.7 m per liter for this reason plasma magnesium is not a good indicator of magnesium status for most healthy adults”