Hypomagnesemia and hypermagnesemia.

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Human Physiology
• Clinical Medicine

Background:

• Magnesium is an essential element with diverse physiological roles.
• Disturbances in magnesium balance, leading to hypomagnesemia and hypermagnesemia, have significant clinical implications.
• Kidney function plays a crucial role in maintaining magnesium homeostasis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the clinical relevance of disturbed magnesium balance.
• To explore the causes and consequences of hypomagnesemia and hypermagnesemia.
• To discuss current evidence-based treatments and areas for future research.

Main Methods:

• Narrative review of existing literature.
• Analysis of clinical relevance of magnesium balance disturbances.
• Synthesis of data on hypomagnesemia and hypermagnesemia.

Main Results:

• Hypomagnesemia is common, particularly in patients with comorbidities like diabetes mellitus and sepsis, and can cause neurological and cardiovascular symptoms.
• Intravenous magnesium is a proven treatment for torsades de pointes and preeclampsia.
• Magnesium deficiency is associated with cardiovascular disease, vascular calcification, and impaired endothelial function.
• Severe hypermagnesemia is rare, typically occurring in individuals with impaired kidney function and excessive magnesium intake.

Conclusions:

• The survival benefit of mild hypermagnesemia, especially in renal impairment, requires further investigation.
• The efficacy of oral magnesium supplementation for chronic mild hypomagnesemia warrants exploration through interventional studies.