Torunska K1, Palinska-Saadi A2, Suska A2, Maj-Zurawska M2,
1 Private Neurologische Praxis
2 Universität Warschau, Polen
Latent tetany (spasmophilia) is becoming more and more prevalent in society. Tetany latent pathology,
wherein the substrate is an increase in the excitability of the nerve-muscle, follows magnesium deficiencies
and/or hyperventilation. While overt signs of tetany are widely known and attacks are easy to recognize, the
latent tetany (spasmophilia) is usually detected by chance in apparently healthy people, complaining on very
unusual symptoms from the various organs and systems.
Latent tetany signs are resulting from reduction intracellular magnesium concentration and not from reduction
serum magnesium concentration. At this moment, this illness can be identified on the basis of ischemic test.
Much more reliable test results on the basis of determination ionized magnesium in erythrocytes.
Until now, we have examined more than 300 patients with spasmophilia confirmed by the ischemic test. We
have found the concentration of electrolytes within normal range in blood plasma. However, ionized
magnesium and ionized calcium are in lower level of the normal range. The relation of total magnesium to total
calcium concentration is mostly too low. The concentration of vitamin D is in lover level of normal range. In
erythrocytes, ionized magnesium and total magnesium concentrations are under normal range. Ionized calcium
concentration seems to be in higher level of normal range. Total calcium concentration is in lower level of
normal range. Potassium concentration is mainly under normal range.
Our research proved the usefulness of both total and ionized magnesium concentration in erythrocytes as
parameters to evaluate spasmophilia. These parameters can be also helpful in observing effects of the therapy.
