Hypomagnesemia

Too little magnesium. Magnesium deficiency can occur due to inadequate intake or impaired intestinal absorption of magnesium. Low magnesium (hypomagnesemia) is often associated with low calcium (hypocalcemia) and low potassium (hypokalemia). Deficiency of magnesium causes increased irritability of the nervous system with tetany (spasms of the hands and feet, muscular twitching and cramps, spasm of the larynx, etc.). According to the National Academy of Sciences, the Recommended Dietary Allowances of magnesium are 420 milligrams per day for men and 320 milligrams per day for women. The upper limit of magnesium as supplements is 350 milligrams daily, in addition to the magnesium from food and water.

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Subnormal blood serum concentration of magnesium; may cause convulsions and concurrent hypocalcemia.

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hy·po·mag·ne·se·mia or chiefly Brit hy·po·mag·ne·sae·mia .hī-pə-.mag-nə-'sē-mē-ə n a deficiency of magnesium in the blood esp. of cattle

hy·po·mag·ne·se·mic or chiefly Brit hy·po·mag·ne·sae·mic -mik adj

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hy·po·mag·ne·se·mia (hi″po-mag″nə-seґme-ə) an abnormally low magnesium content of the blood plasma, usually the result of malabsorption, dehydration, alcoholism, or renal disease; the chief manifestation is neuromuscular irritability.