Etymed
hypomagnesemia
Definition
A medical condition characterized by abnormally low levels of magnesium in the blood
Clinical context
A 65-year-old patient with chronic alcoholism presents to the emergency department with seizures and tetany. Laboratory studies reveal low serum calcium levels but normal parathyroid hormone levels. Further testing demonstrates significant hypomagnesemia which corrects the calcium abnormalities with magnesium replacement therapy.
Mnemonic
Mg's low, seizures occur - Magnesium deficiency causes neuromuscular excitability