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Updated: Aug 24, 2026

Ex Vivo Assessment of Contractility, Fatigability and Alternans in Isolated Skeletal Muscles
Published on: November 1, 2012
[Tetany due to excessive use of alcohol: a possible magnesium deficiency]
Y F Smets1, N Bokani, P H de Meijer
1Leids Universitair Medisch Centrum, afd. Algemene Interne Geneeskunde, Postbus 9600, 2300 RC Leiden. yfesmets@lumc.nl
Abstract:
Two alcoholic patients, a woman aged 64 and a man aged 69 years, were admitted with tetany. Both had severe electrolyte disorders, with low plasma levels of calcium, magnesium and potassium. Following mineral supplementation both patients recovered. Hypomagnesaemia plays a central role in the pathophysiology of this syndrome. Chronic alcohol abuse results in hypomagnesaemia in 30% of patients by decreasing renal tubular reabsorption. Hypomagnesaemia leads to suppression of parathyroid-hormone secretion, parathyroid-hormone resistance and vitamin-D suppression, resulting in hypocalcaemia. Hypomagnesaemia also causes kaliuresis leading to hypokalaemia. Supplementation with magnesium is crucial in the treatment of this combined electrolyte disorder.
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