Tissue magnesium level in chronic diarrhea
Lim, P.; Jacob, E.
Journal of Laboratory and Clinical Medicine 80(3): 313-321
1972
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-2143 PMID: 5055382 Document Number: 51817
Of 7 patients with chronic diarrhoea 6 had low values for Mg in skeletal muscle. Malabsorption was present in the patient with the lowest Mg value. There was no correlation between the severity of the diarrhoea and the degree of deficiency of Mg in skeletal muscle. Values for Mg in bone were normal in all the patients. Only one had low values for Mg in serum and erythrocytes and low ultrafiltrable Mg. Mg deficiency was corrected by supplements of Mg, but when given by mouth Mg exacerbated the diarrhoea in 3 patients. It is considered that adequate Mg replacement can be achieved only parenteral infusions.