Why are serum magnesium levels lower in Saudi dialysis patients?

Patients with chronic kidney disease are generally considered at risk of developing hypermagnesaemia due to reduced renal excretion. However, a considerable number of dialysis patients in our unit had hypomagnesaemia (or low levels) instead. In addition to other factors, PTH secretion is affected by serum Mg levels. We found a significant correlation between serum Mg and Ca as well as PTH levels. Consequently, optimizing Mg concentration in patients on dialysate is essential to reduce risk of dyslipidaemia, arrhythmias, hyperparathyroidism, or adynamic bone disease.