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Updated: Aug 21, 2026

A Rapid and Chemical-free Hemoglobin Assay with Photothermal Angular Light Scattering
Published on: December 7, 2016
Ionized magnesium in erythrocytes--the best magnesium parameter to observe hypo- or hypermagnesemia
Adam Malon1, Christian Brockmann, Jolanta Fijalkowska-Morawska
1Faculty of Chemistry, Warsaw University, Pasteura 1, 02093 Warsaw, Poland.
Background:
Almost 99% of the body magnesium is inside cells. The concentration of intracellular ionized magnesium (iMg) is physiologically relevant. iMg in erythrocytes is a new parameter that can help to establish reliable information on the functional magnesium status.
Methods:
iMg concentration in erythrocytes and serum was measured by ion-selective electrode, in clinical analyzer Microlyte (KONE). Total magnesium (tMg) concentration was measured by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). Albumin and total protein concentration were measured colorimetrically.
Results:
In critically ill postoperative patients, the mean of albumin, protein and hematocrit concentration was significantly lower compared to healthy individuals. Hypomagnesemia was found in 15.9% patients as tMgs, at 22.2% as iMgs and 36.5% as iMge. Significant correlations are between iMgs and tMgs or iMge and iMgs/tMgs. In dialyzed patients, the mean of hematocrit was significantly lower, iMge was significantly higher compared with healthy individuals. Significant negative correlations are between iMgs and tMge or iMge/tMge and tMge.
Conclusions:
iMge is the best magnesium parameter to observe hypo- or hypermagnesemia for both groups of patients. The function of magnesium is mainly intracellular and intracellular magnesium concentrations can be the method to evaluate the magnesium status.
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