Relationship between serum magnesium and parathyroid hormone levels in hemodialysis patients

Acute magnesium (Mg) infusion decreases patathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion. However, the effect of chronic hypermagnesemia on PTH levels in dialysis patients is not well established. We studied 110 hemodialysis patients (mean age, 55 +/- 14 years; time on dialysis, 35 +/- 28 months) not receiving vitamin D and undergoing dialysis with an Mg dialysate concentration of 1.2 mg/dL. The primary phosphate binder was calcium carbonate, and 43% of the patients also needed aluminum hydroxide. During a 6-month period, calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), and total serum Mg were measured every 2 months; intact PTH and aluminum (Al) were measured every 6 months. The mean value of each parameter was computed. Hypermagnesemia (serum Mg > 2.47 mg/dL) was observed in 73% of the patients. Mg and Ca were inversely correlated with PTH levels (r = -0.48; P < 0.001 and r = -0.21; P < 0.05, respectively). After adjusting for Ca and P (partial correlation analysis), Mg and PTH were inversely correlated (r = -0.58; P < 0.001). A stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that PTH levels were predicted by Mg (P < 0.001), alkaline phosphatase (P < 0.01), and P levels (P< 0.05; multiple R = 0.57; P < 0.001), whereas Ca level, sex (dummy variable), diabetes (dummy variable), time on dialysis, and Al level were not predictive. Patients with inadequately low PTH levels (relative hypoparathyroidism, PTH < 120 pg/mL; n = 52) showed greater serum Mg concentrations than the rest (n = 58; 3.01 +/- 0.33 v 2.63 +/- 0.38 mg/dL; P < 0.001). In conclusion, serum Mg concentrations in dialysis patients are independently associated with PTH levels, suggesting that chronic hypermagnesemia may decrease PTH secretion and/or synthesis. In addition, chronic hypermagnesemia of dialysis patients may have a role in the pathogenesis of adynamic bone disease.