Parathormone-Like Effect of Magnesium Replenishment in Steatorrhea

Abstract
Five of nine patients with intestinal malabsorption had tetany associated with hypomagnesemia, hypocalcemia and absence of demonstrable bone disease. Apparent failure of parathyroid response was suggested by normal or low values for serum alkaline phosphatase and renal phosphate clearance. Intramuscular magnesium therapy abolished tetany in all. In two subjects with severe magnesium depletion there was a coincident rise in serum calcium, phosphate clearance and (in one case) alkaline phosphatase.