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Study, 1981

Is low magnesium linked to premenstrual tension?

Yes. Women with premenstrual tension had lower magnesium levels in their red blood cells compared to women without premenstrual tension.

Early or limited evidence 26 women with premenstrual tension and 9 without it

What they did

Researchers measured magnesium in blood and red blood cells in 26 women with premenstrual tension and 9 women without it.

What they found

Normal women had red cell magnesium of 4.5 mg/100 ml, while women with premenstrual tension had 3.1 mg/100 ml. The difference was clear.

What it means for you

Low magnesium in red blood cells may be involved in premenstrual tension. This suggests checking magnesium levels might help understand the condition. The main limitation is that only a small number of women were studied.

26

women with premenstrual tension

4.5

red cell magnesium in normal women (mg/100 ml)

3.1

red cell magnesium in women with premenstrual tension (mg/100 ml)

About the study

Original title
Serum and red cell magnesium levels in patients with premenstrual tension
Authors
Abraham GE, Lubran MM
Journal
The American journal of clinical nutrition
Year
1981
Study design
Study
Participants
26

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