Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Hypomagnesemia laboratory findings
Introduction
Overview
Overview
The diagnosis can be made by finding a plasma magnesium concentration of less than 0.7mmol/l. Since most magnesium is intracellular, a body deficit can be present with a normal plasma concentration. In addition to hypomagnesemia, up to 40% cases will also have hypocalcemia while in up to 60% of cases, hypokalemia will also be present.
Laboratory findings
Laboratory findings
Serum magnesium level is usually normal for patients with hypomagnesemia since most of magnesium is intracellular. Some patients with hypomagnesemia may have the following laboratory findings:[1]
- Serum magnesium level of less than 0.7 mmol/l.
- Hypocalcemia (40%)
- Hypokalemia (60%)
References
References
- ↑ Swaminathan R (2003) Magnesium metabolism and its disorders. Clin Biochem Rev 24 (2):47-66. PMID: 18568054
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]