Hypermagnesemia
Hypermagnesemia is an electrolyte disorder in which there is a high level of magnesium in the blood. Symptoms include weakness, confusion, decreased breathing rate, and decreased reflexes. Complications may include low blood pressure and cardiac arrest.
| Hypermagnesemia | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Magnesium toxicity |
| Magnesium | |
| Specialty | Endocrinology |
| Symptoms | Weakness, confusion, decreased breathing rate |
| Complications | Cardiac arrest |
| Causes | Kidney failure, treatment induced, tumor lysis syndrome, seizures, prolonged ischemia |
| Diagnostic method | Blood level > 1.1 mmol/L (2.6 mg/dL) |
| Differential diagnosis | Kidney failure, high blood calcium, high blood potassium, hypoparathyroidism, hypothyroidism, lithium toxicity, red blood cell breakdown, rhabdomyolysis |
| Treatment | Calcium chloride, intravenous normal saline with furosemide, hemodialysis |
| Frequency | Uncommon |
It is typically caused by kidney failure or is treatment-induced such as from antacids that contain magnesium. Less common causes include tumor lysis syndrome, seizures, and prolonged ischemia. Diagnosis is based on a blood level of magnesium greater than 1.1 mmol/L (2.6 mg/dL). It is severe if levels are greater than 2.9 mmol/L (7 mg/dL). Specific electrocardiogram (ECG) changes may be present.
Treatment involves stopping the magnesium a person is getting. Treatment when levels are very high include calcium chloride, intravenous normal saline with furosemide, and hemodialysis. Hypermagnesemia is uncommon. Rates among hospitalized patients in renal failure may be as high as 10%.