Hypomagnesemia (patient information)
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Hypomagnesemia |
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Hypomagnesemia On the Web |
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Charmaine Patel, M.D. [2]
Overview
Hypomagnesemia means low levels of magnesium in the blood.
What are the symptoms of Hypomagnesemia?
Common symptoms include:
- Abnormal eye movements (nystagmus)
- Convulsions
- Fatigue
- Muscle spasms or cramps
- Muscle weakness
- Numbness
What causes Hypomagnesemia?
Several conditions can cause hypomagnesemia, including:
- Alcoholism
- Chronic diarrhea
- High blood calcium levels (hypercalcemia)
- Hyperaldosteronism
- Malabsorption syndromes, such as celiac disease and inflammatory bowel disease
- Malnutrition
- Medications including amphotericin, cisplatin, cyclosporine, diuretics, and aminoglycoside antibiotics
- Excessive urination (polyuria), such as in uncontrolled diabetes and during recovery from acute kidney failure
Sweating
Who is at highest risk?
Diagnosis
Your health care provider will do a complete physical examination to help determine the cause of your symptoms.
Signs include:
- Electrocardiogram (ECG) changes
- Low blood calcium level (hypocalcemia)
- Low blood potassium level (hypokalemia)
Blood and urine tests will be done. Other tests that can confirm hypomagnesemia include:
Comprehensive metabolic panel
- Magnesium blood test
- Urine magnesium test
When to seek urgent medical care?
Treatment options
The cause of hypomagnesemia must be diagnosed and treated. Treatment depends on the type of hypomagnesemia, but may include:
- Fluids given through a vein (IV)
- Magnesium by mouth or through a vein
- Medication to relieve symptoms
Where to find medical care for Hypomagnesemia?
Directions to Hospitals Treating Condition