Heartburn meds and your magnesium

Heartburn meds like omeprazole and pantoprazole are great at what they do.
The problem is when short term turns into years.

The FDA warned back in 2011 that taking these long term, usually over a year, can drain your magnesium.
Long term use has also been linked to lower calcium and a higher risk of C. diff.

Heres the catch with magnesium.
A blood test usually comes back normal.
Less than 1% of your magnesium is in your blood. Most of it sits in your bones and muscles.
So your blood level can look fine while your stores are running low.

None of that means stop your medication.
It means ask a couple questions.
Do I still need this?
Should I be taking magnesium with it?

Thats the kind of thing a pharmacist loves to help with