Serum/plasma measurements do not reflect
magnesium deficits in clinical situations, and
magnesium load tests are used as a more accurate method to identify
magnesium deficiency in a variety of disease states as well as in subclinical conditions. The objective of this study was to determine if people are indeed
magnesium deficient or if the apparent
magnesium deficiency is due to the composition of the infusate used in the load test.
Magnesium load tests were performed on seven patients using three different Mg
solution infusions-a Mg-
EDTA (
ethylene diamine tetraacetic
acid)-nutrient cocktail used in
EDTA chelation therapy containing several components including
vitamins and minerals, and the same cocktail without
EDTA and an infusion of an identical amount of
magnesium in
normal saline solution. There was no significant difference in the amount of
magnesium retained in the 24 h after infusion among the three infusates. All infusates resulted in very high
magnesium retention compared to previous published
magnesium load studies.
Magnesium deficiency may be widespread, and the relationship of Mg deficiency to related diseases requires further study.