What is hypomagnesemia?
Hypomagnesemia, also known as magnesium deficiency, happens when you have a lower-than-normal level of magnesium in your blood. It can be mild or severe.
Magnesium is an electrolyte that’s a key part of many bodily reactions that affect cellular function, nerve conduction and more. Your brain, heart and muscles rely heavily on magnesium to do their job.
Magnesium has a direct effect on the balance of other electrolytes, including sodium, calcium and potassium. Hypomagnesemia often happens alongside hypocalcemia (low blood calcium levels) and hypokalemia (low blood potassium levels).
It should be noted that while most of your body’s magnesium is stored in your bones, it’s only the magnesium dissolved in extracellular fluid (mostly blood plasma) that’s available for use by cells and organs.
Three organs are responsible for maintaining normal magnesium levels, including your:
- Small and large intestines, which absorb magnesium from the food you eat.
- Bones, which are the main storage system for magnesium.
- Kidneys, which are responsible for the excretion (release) of magnesium through your pee.
If there’s an issue in any step of this process, it can cause hypomagnesemia.
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Who does hypomagnesemia affect?
Hypomagnesemia can affect anyone at any age. People with certain health conditions and in certain situations are more likely to have hypomagnesemia. It occurs in:
- 2% of the general U.S. population.
- 10% to 20% of people in the hospital.
- 50% to 60% of people in the intensive care unit (ICU).
- 30% to 80% of people with alcohol use disorder.
- 25% of people with poorly managed diabetes.
