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Hypomagnesemia and Impaired Parathyroid Hormone Secretion in Chronic Renal Disease
- PAUL MENNES, M.D.;
- ROBERT ROSENBAUM, M.D.;
- KEVIN MARTIN, M.D., M.R.C.P.I.; and
- EDUARDO SLATOPOLSKY, M.D.
Abstract
Severe hypocalcemia secondary to magnesium depletion has been described in numerous patients with gastrointestinal disorders. The development of profound hypomagnesemia in chronic renal disease is a rare finding. We studied three patients with advanced renal failure and magnesium depletion. Severe hypocalcemia also was present in these patients. Despite hyperplasia of the parathyroid glands, the levels of immunoreactive parathyroid hormone (PTH) in blood were inappropriately low for the degree of renal insufficiency. After the administration of magnesium there was a significant increase in the levels of circulating i-PTH in serum with a concomitant improvement in the hypocalcemia.
Article and Author Information
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▸From the Renal Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine; St. Louis, Missouri.
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▸Requests for reprints should be addressed to Eduardo Slatopolsky, M.D.; Renal Division, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine; 4550 Scott Avenue; St. Louis, MO 63110.
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- Received June 10, 1977.
- Accepted October 17, 1977.
