Multiple Measures of Magnesium Status Are Comparable in Mild Asthma and Control Subjects

Abstract

Magnesium (Mg) may be a significant factor in asthma management. There is debate about how to best assess Mg status. We evaluated multiple indices of Mg status and lung function in 52 people with mild to moderate asthma and 47 controls. Mg measures included serum total, ionized and erythrocyte Mg, intravenous Mg load retention and dietary recall. Methacholine challenge and pulmonary function tests were used to assess diagnosis and severity of asthma. Mg status was similar in asthma and controls, and was not correlated to lung function. Total serum Mg closely reflected ionized Mg and offers a useful clinical diagnostic monitor.

Keywords:

• asthma
• magnesium status
• serum magnesium

Abbreviations
ATS	=	American Thoracic Society
BMI	=	ody mass index
FEV1	=	forced expiratory volume in 1 second
FVC	=	forced vital capacity
ICS	=	inhaled corticosteroids
iMg	=	ionized magnesium
IV Mg	=	intravenous magnesium load
MCCT	=	methacholine challenge testing
Mg	=	magnesium
NHANES	=	National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
NHLBI	=	National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
PFT	=	pulmonary function tests
R-Mg	=	erythrocyte magnesium
S-Mg	=	total serum magnesium

Abbreviations
ATS	=	American Thoracic Society
BMI	=	ody mass index
FEV1	=	forced expiratory volume in 1 second
FVC	=	forced vital capacity
ICS	=	inhaled corticosteroids
iMg	=	ionized magnesium
IV Mg	=	intravenous magnesium load
MCCT	=	methacholine challenge testing
Mg	=	magnesium
NHANES	=	National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
NHLBI	=	National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
PFT	=	pulmonary function tests
R-Mg	=	erythrocyte magnesium
S-Mg	=	total serum magnesium