The relationship between hematocrit and erythrocyte magnesium concentration in patients on regular hemodialysis

Plasma and erythrocyte magnesium (Mg) concentrations were measured in uremics on regular hemodialysis, in healthy persons and in patients with anemia due to causes other than renal failure. The mean plasma Mg concentration was found to be significantly higher in the uremic patients than in other subjects. The erythrocyte Mg concentration in anemic uremics and in nonuremic anemics was found to be higher than in normal subjects and a close inverse relationship was found between this figure and the hematocrit. It seems reasonable to argue that anemia, rather than renal failure, is related to the high concentration of Mg in erythrocytes.