Hypomagnesemia

Hypomagnesemia (or hypomagnesaemia) is an electrolyte disturbance characterized by an abnormally low blood concentration of magnesium. Reference ranges in serum are 0.73–1.06 mmol/L and 0.77–1.03 mmol/L for men and women, respectively. Hypomagnesemia is often associated with other electrolyte disturbances such as hypokalemia (40%), Hypophosphatemia (30%), or hypocalcaemia (23%). Hypomagnesemia does not necessarily indicate a status of magnesium deficiency as serum magnesium levels represent only about 1% of the body's magnesium pools. Therefore hypomagnesemia can be present without magnesium deficiency and vice versa. Hypomagnesemia results from an imbalanced relation of magnesium uptake and excretion. An inadequate uptake may result from dietary mistakes and diseases such as malabsorption, chronic diarrhea, etc. An enhanced loss of magnesium can be found after chronic administration of diuretics. Moreover, an enhanced turnover of magnesium such as under conditions of chronic stress...