Clinical Consequences and Management of Hypomagnesemia

Hypomagnesemia and its relation with chronic low-grade inflammation in obesity

“…About half of the mineral content is present in the bone and the other half in soft tissues. More precisely, 0.3% of the total is found in serum, 0.5% in erythrocytes, 19.3% in soft tissues, 27% in muscles, and 52.9% in bones. In serum about one-third of the magnesium is bound to proteins.…”

“…Diets low in protein (< 30 g/day) also slow the absorption of magnesium. 18,19 The kidneys are the main excreting organs involved in magnesium homeostasis, and 70% of the entire content of filtered mineral is reabsorbed in the thick ascending branch of the loop of Henle via the paracellular route. The driving force for magnesium reabsorption is positive transluminal epithelial tension generated by the recycling of potassium through the apical membrane, which is linked with sodium, water and calcium.…”

“…6,11 The reference values for normal plasma magnesium concentrations are between 0.75 and 1.05 mmol/L. 18,19 Erythrocyte magnesium concentration is approximately 2.5 mmol/L and since it has a half-life of 120 days, medium and long-term evaluations of the mineral's stock in the body can be performed. 24,25 As for urinary magnesium, approximately 3 to 4 mmol of the nutrient is lost daily through this excretion route.…”

Assessment of frequency and severity of hypomagnesemia in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer treated with cetuximab, with a review of the literature

“…Hypomagnesemia may be a result of insufficient magnesium (Mg) supplementation in the diet, hormonal imbalance, antibiotic usage or alcoholism (8,9). The National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) version 4.0 are used to grade levels of hypomagnesemia (Table I) (10).…”

“…The most common symptom of hypomagnesemia is weakness. There are also other problems, including irritability, arrhythmias or metabolic and neuromuscular disorders, which may be revealed in the case Assessment of frequency and severity of hypomagnesemia in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer treated with cetuximab, with a review of the literature of higher grades of this dyselectrolytemia (8,9). However, the incidence and severity of hypomagnesemia were not assessed in the aforementioned clinical trials.…”