assessment and treatment
Last reviewed 01/2018
Assessment of deficiency is necessary as serum levels are less useful as magnesium is more important inside than outside of the cells. Deficiency is indicated by:
- failure to excrete more than 70% of an administered load of 20 mmol Mg within 16 hours; OR
- failure to excrete more than 80% if 0.25 mmol per Kg iv. over 1 - 2 hours
Treatment:
- oral magnesium salts - magnesium glycerophosphate least likely to cause diarrhoea
- parenteral magnesium sulphate