Hypomagnesemia during refeeding in anorexia nervosa
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Updated: Aug 20, 2026

Assessing Activity-based Anorexia in Mice
Published on: May 14, 2018
C L Birmingham1, D Puddicombe, J Hlynsky
1Eating Disorders Program, St. Paul's Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Canada. clbirm@interchange.ubc.ca
Background:
Magnesium deficiency can cause weakness, constipation, seizures and arrhythmias. We frequently observe hypomagnesemia during refeeding in AN.
Objective:
To determine the incidence and time of onset of hypomagnesemia during refeeding in anorexia nervosa (AN).
Design:
Observational cohort study.
Setting:
University teaching hospital in Vancouver, Canada.
Patients:
Patients with AN (DSM-IV criteria) admitted for refeeding.
Intervention:
All patients were admitted for supervised refeeding by meal support, in conjunction with our standard medical and psychological treatment.
Measurements:
Serum magnesium was measured daily for 5 days and then 3 times a week.
Results:
Fifty patients were admitted for an average of 24 days. Sixty percent (30/50) had low serum magnesium during their admission. Hypomagnesemia was present on admission in 16% but as late as the third week of refeeding in others.
Conclusion:
Serum magnesium should be measured on admission and rechecked weekly for the first 3 weeks of refeeding as a minimum.
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