Hypomagnesemia E83.4

Electrolyte disturbance in which the plasma magnesium concentration is < 0.7 mmol/l.

Hypomagnesemia may be caused on the one hand by a reduced intake in malnutrition or alcoholism, and on the other hand by renal or intestinal magnesium losses.

Renal losses may be due to hyperthyroidism, diuretic therapy, or diabetes mellitus.

Intestinal magnesium losses are caused by malabsorption syndrome, diarrhoea or enteritis.

In most cases, dizziness, tetany and depression occur at plasma magnesium levels < 0.5 mmol/l. In addition, cardiac symptoms with arrhythmias and heart failure may occur.

Causal therapy

Symptomatic: Magnesium administration

Familial hypermagnesemia with hypercalciuria and nephrocalcinosis (FHHNC): mutation in the paracellin-1 gene (PCLN1)

Gitelman syndrome (E26.8): autosomal recessive inherited disorder associated with hypokalemic alkalosis, salt wasting, hypotension, hypomagnesemia, and hypocalciuria.