Hypomagnesemia: a clinical perspective

Abstract

Phuong-Chi T Pham,1 Phuong-Anh T Pham,2 Son V Pham,3 Phuong-Truc T Pham,4 Phuong-Mai T Pham,5 Phuong-Thu T Pham61Olive View–UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA; 2Veterans Administration Central California Health Care System, Fresno, CA, USA; 3South Texas Veterans Health Care System and University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA; 4Pennsylvania State University Wilkes-Barre, Lehman, PA, USA; 5Greater Los Angeles Veterans Administration, Sepulveda, CA, USA; 6David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USAAbstract: Although magnesium is involved in a wide spectrum of vital functions in normal human physiology, the significance of hypomagnesemia and necessity for its treatment are under-recognized and underappreciated in clinical practice. In the current review, we first present an overview of the clinical significance of hypomagnesemia and normal magnesium metabolism, with a focus on renal magnesium handling. Subsequently, we review the literature for both congenital and acquired hypomagnesemic conditions that affect the various steps in normal magnesium metabolism. Finally, we present an approach to the routine evaluation and suggested management of hypomagnesemia.Keywords: hypomagnesemia, magnesium, diabetes mellitus, alcohol, TRPM6, cisplatin