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Related Experiment Videos

Routine plasma magnesium estimation: a useful test?

J W Croker, R N Walmsley

    The Medical Journal of Australia
    |July 21, 1986
    PubMed
    Summary
    This summary is machine-generated.

    Many cases of low magnesium (hypomagnesaemia) resolve without treatment. Severe hypomagnesaemia and most mild high magnesium (hypermagnesaemia) cases also do not require intervention, especially in patients without known magnesium-affecting disorders.

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    Clinical chemistry·1985

    Area of Science:

    • Clinical Chemistry
    • Internal Medicine
    • Nephrology

    Background:

    • Magnesium homeostasis is crucial for physiological function.
    • Disruptions in magnesium levels, hypomagnesaemia and hypermagnesaemia, can occur in various patient populations.
    • Understanding the prevalence and clinical significance of these electrolyte imbalances is important for patient management.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the prevalence of hypomagnesaemia and hypermagnesaemia in a consecutive patient cohort.
    • To determine the clinical course and necessity of treatment for identified magnesium abnormalities.
    • To assess the utility of routine screening for magnesium levels in all patients.

    Main Methods:

    • Prospective investigation of 527 consecutive patients.
    • Measurement of plasma magnesium levels.
    • Correlation of magnesium levels with plasma creatinine and underlying medical conditions.

    Main Results:

    • Prevalence: 4.5% hypomagnesaemia (<0.70 mmol/L), 4.9% hypermagnesaemia (>1.00 mmol/L).
    • Hypomagnesaemia: 15/24 cases normalized without treatment; levels <0.60 mmol/L only in patients with known deficiency disorders.
    • Hypermagnesaemia: Common in renal insufficiency (17/26 patients with creatinine >0.20 mmol/L); most mild cases (<1.10 mmol/L) normalized without treatment.

    Conclusions:

    • Many hypomagnesaemia cases are transient and asymptomatic, not requiring treatment.
    • Severe hypomagnesaemia is indicative of underlying disorders.
    • Hypermagnesaemia is frequent in renal insufficiency, but mild elevations often resolve spontaneously.
    • Routine screening for magnesium is not clinically productive; investigation should be targeted towards patients with conditions affecting magnesium metabolism.