Parenteral magnesium loading test in the assessment of magnesium status in healthy adult French subjects.

Parenteral magnesium loading test has been proposed as an adequate mean to evaluate magnesium status. However, applied tests vary among different laboratories and standardized procedure is not available. In the present study, we assessed magnesium status in 32 healthy adult French subjects by magnesium loading test using MgCl2 and determination of magnesium concentrations in plasma and erythrocytes. We observed a positive correlation between plasma and erythrocyte magnesium concentrations, but there was no correlation between magnesium retention and basal urinary excretion of magnesium, and plasma or erythrocyte magnesium concentrations.