Saturday, February, 11, 2012

Hypomagnesemia

Table of Contents

Definition

Hypomagnesemia means low levels of magnesium in the blood.


Alternative Names

Low blood magnesium; Magnesium - low


Causes, incidence, and risk factors

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


Review Date: 05/29/2011
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)