Predictors of clinical hypomagnesemia. Hypokalemia, hypophosphatemia, hyponatremia, and hypocalcemia

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Abstract
Four studies were conducted, each determining the frequency of hypomagnesemia in patients already found to have 1 abnormal electrolyte determination. Hypomagnesemia occurred in 42% of patients with hypokalemia, 29% of patients with hypophosphatemia, 27% of patients with hyponatremia and 22% of patients with hypocalcemia. Detection of either hypokalemia, hypophosphatemia, hyponatremia or hypocalcemia, all of which are routinely available determinations, should alert the clinician to order serum Mg determinations because of the frequent association of hypomagnesemia with these electrolyte perturbations. Optimally, levels of serum Mg should be determined on a routine basis because of the frequency of the occurrence of hypomagnesemia in hospitalized patients.