From the Guidelines
Hypomagnesemia symptoms include abdominal cramps, impaired healing, fatigue, and bone pain, and can be caused by increased gastrointestinal losses, particularly in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) 1.
Causes and Risk Factors
- Increased gastrointestinal losses, particularly in patients with IBD 1
- Malnutrition, alcoholism, certain medications (diuretics, proton pump inhibitors), or gastrointestinal disorders 1
- Alterations in thyroid hormone function, certain medications (eg, pentamidine, diuretics, alcohol), and malnourishment can also induce hypomagnesemia 1
Treatment and Management
- Oral magnesium supplements like magnesium oxide (400-800 mg daily) or magnesium citrate (200-400 mg daily) for mild cases 1
- Severe cases require intravenous magnesium sulfate in hospital settings 1
- Addressing underlying causes such as malnutrition, alcoholism, certain medications, or gastrointestinal disorders is essential for long-term management 1
- Magnesium replacement is recommended for the management of hypomagnesaemia 1
Important Considerations
- Magnesium is crucial for over 300 enzymatic reactions in the body, including nerve function, muscle contraction, and heart rhythm regulation, which explains the diverse symptoms when levels are low 1
- Hypomagnesemia often accompanies other electrolyte imbalances, particularly low potassium and calcium 1
- Monitoring magnesium levels is important, especially in cancer patients 1
From the Research
Hypo-Magnesia Symptoms
Hypo-magnesia, also known as magnesium deficiency, can cause a range of symptoms. Some common symptoms include:
- Muscle cramps and weakness
- Fatigue and weakness
- Abnormal heart rhythms
- Seizures
- Numbness and tingling
- Personality changes
Bioavailability of Magnesium Compounds
The bioavailability of magnesium compounds can affect the severity of hypo-magnesia symptoms. A study published in 2019 2 investigated the bioavailability of five different magnesium compounds in Sprague Dawley rats. The study found that:
- Magnesium malate had the highest area under the curve calculation, indicating high bioavailability
- Magnesium acetyl taurate had the second highest area under the curve calculation and was rapidly absorbed, able to pass through to the brain easily
- Magnesium oxide and magnesium citrate had the lowest bioavailability compared to the control group
Effects of Magnesium Deficiency
Magnesium deficiency can have significant effects on the body. The study published in 2019 2 found that magnesium acetyl taurate was associated with decreased anxiety indicators, suggesting that magnesium deficiency may contribute to anxiety and other mood disorders. Additionally, the study found that magnesium malate levels remained high for an extended period of time in the serum, indicating a potential role in maintaining healthy serum magnesium levels.