Micke O1, Vormann J2, Kraus A3, Büntzel J4, Kisters K5
1Klinik für Strahlentherapie und Radioonkologie, Franziskus Hospital, Bielefeld, DE
2Institut für Prävention und Ernährung, Ismaning, DE
3Verla-Pharm Arzneimittel, Tutzing, DE
4Klinik für Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Heilkunde, Südharz Klinikum Nordhausen, Nordhausen, DE, 5Medizinische Klinik I, St. Anna Hospital Herne, Herne, DE
Background: Magnesium deficiency can cause a variety of serious symptoms. Low magnesium intake and low serum magnesium concentration (serum-magnesium) are known risk factors e. g., for type-2-diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Despite its scientifically recognized importance, too little attention is paid to magnesium in clinical practice. This may be due to the lack of a standardized and evidence-based reference range for serum magnesium.
Methods: Selective literature search between 2000 and 2020 with the search terms „reference interval“, „reference range“, „diagnostics“, „status“, „serum“, „plasma“, „hypomagnesemia“, „deficiency“.
Results: Serum magnesium has only limited informative value as the concentration in plasma can be maintained over long time by releasing magnesium from stores. A lowered serum magnesium is a definite sign of deficiency; however, values within the reference range do not rule out deficiency. Nevertheless, serum magnesium should become part of routine diagnostics to better detect deficiency. A standardised, evidence-based reference range is required for this. Current data suggests that the lower limit of serum magnesium, which is often given between 0.66 and 0.75 mmol/L, should be raised to 0.85 mmol/L (2.1 mg/dL).
Conclusions: When diagnosing magnesium deficiency, deficiency symptoms, risk factors (anamnesis), and serum magnesium should be considered. A standardized and evidence-based reference range is required for serum magnesium.
