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Questions and Answers
What is the fourth abundant cation in the body?
What is the fourth abundant cation in the body?
Mg2+
What is the normal serum Magnesium range?
What is the normal serum Magnesium range?
1.7 - 2.5 mg/dL
Which of these is not considered a renal cause of hypomagnesemia?
Which of these is not considered a renal cause of hypomagnesemia?
Hypermagnesemia is a common occurrence.
Hypermagnesemia is a common occurrence.
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What is the normal range for blood sodium?
What is the normal range for blood sodium?
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What is the most common cause of hypernatremia?
What is the most common cause of hypernatremia?
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Which of these is not a cause of hyponatremia?
Which of these is not a cause of hyponatremia?
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Potassium is primarily found in extracellular fluid.
Potassium is primarily found in extracellular fluid.
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Which of the following is not a symptom of hyperkalemia?
Which of the following is not a symptom of hyperkalemia?
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Which of the following is not a cause of hypokalemia?
Which of the following is not a cause of hypokalemia?
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What percentage of the body's calcium is stored in bone and teeth?
What percentage of the body's calcium is stored in bone and teeth?
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Hypocalcemia is marked by a decrease in plasma calcium levels below ______ mg/dl.
Hypocalcemia is marked by a decrease in plasma calcium levels below ______ mg/dl.
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What is the normal range for plasma calcium?
What is the normal range for plasma calcium?
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Hypercalcemia can be caused by tumors producing PTH-related proteins.
Hypercalcemia can be caused by tumors producing PTH-related proteins.
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What type of instrument is a spectrophotometer?
What type of instrument is a spectrophotometer?
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A spectrophotometer only works with colored solutions.
A spectrophotometer only works with colored solutions.
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What is the first step in using a spectrophotometer?
What is the first step in using a spectrophotometer?
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What is the purpose of setting the absorbance to zero in a spectrophotometer?
What is the purpose of setting the absorbance to zero in a spectrophotometer?
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What is the formula for calculating the concentration of a sample using a spectrophotometer?
What is the formula for calculating the concentration of a sample using a spectrophotometer?
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Automated biochemistry analyzers were developed to significantly reduce the time needed to perform tests.
Automated biochemistry analyzers were developed to significantly reduce the time needed to perform tests.
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Which of the following is considered the gold standard for evaluating mineral deficiencies?
Which of the following is considered the gold standard for evaluating mineral deficiencies?
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Urine tests are only qualitative, not quantitative.
Urine tests are only qualitative, not quantitative.
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24-hour urine tests are helpful for measuring the total daily excretion of minerals.
24-hour urine tests are helpful for measuring the total daily excretion of minerals.
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Study Notes
4th Year Medicine: Laboratory Medicine Course - Mineral Disorders
- Course Focus: Mineral disorders
- Instructor: Assistant Prof. Jehad Tayyeb
- Date: 2023
- Learning Objectives: Students will be able to clarify normal and abnormal plasma levels of magnesium, sodium, potassium, and calcium; explain disorders associated with abnormal mineral levels; and outline laboratory tools for estimating mineral concentrations.
Magnesium (Mg)
- Abundance: Fourth most abundant cation (Mg2+) in the body
- Total Body Content: 21-28 grams
- Normal Serum Mg: 1.7-2.5 mg/dL
-
Distribution:
- 53% stored in bone
- 46% in muscles and soft tissues
- 1% extracellularly in blood and red blood cells (RBCs)
Magnesium (Mg) Functions
- Muscle and Nerve Function: Important for proper function of muscles and nerves
- ATP Complex: Forms a complex with ATP, acting as a cofactor for enzymes, transporters, and nucleic acids
- Metabolism Support: Crucial for the metabolism of sodium, potassium, calcium, vitamin C, and phosphorus
- Electrolyte Balance: Maintains electrolyte balance
- Anti-stress: Has anti-stress properties
Hypomagnesemia
- Definition: Clinically significant deficiency of less than 1.2 mg/dL
-
Renal Causes:
- Hypercalcemia
- Tubular disorders in the kidney
- Hyperaldosteronism
- Diuretics
-
Extrarenal Causes:
- Malnutrition
- Malabsorption, chronic diarrhea, or laxative abuse
- Increased cell uptake of Mg
- Increased storage in bone after parathyroidectomy
Hypermagnesemia
- Rarity: Rare, usually in patients with renal failure taking Mg-containing drugs
Sodium
- Plasma Levels: 132-144 mmol/L
- Daily Requirements: 5-15 grams daily, primarily as sodium chloride (NaCl)
- Excretion: About 95% of sodium excreted in urine
Sodium Distribution and Functions
- Distribution: About one-third of total body sodium is in the skeleton, while most is in extracellular fluids.
- Associated Minerals: Primarily associated with chloride and bicarbonate
- Acid-Base Balance: Important in regulating acid-base balance in body fluids
- Fluid Regulation: Maintains body fluid levels and protects against excessive fluid loss
- Muscle and Cell Function: Important for normal muscle irritability and cell permeability
Hypernatremia
-
Causes:
- Rapid administration of sodium salt
- Hyperactivity of the adrenal cortex (Cushing's disease)
- Administration of corticotrophin (ACTH) and cortisone
- Dehydration (diabetes insipidus)
Hyponatremia
- Symptoms: Muscular cramps, headache, and nausea
-
Causes:
- Adrenocortical insufficiency
- Chronic renal failure
- Liver cirrhosis
- Congestive heart failure
- Excessive gastrointestinal fluid loss (severe diarrhea)
- Excessive sweating
Potassium
- Plasma Levels: 3.6-4.8 mmol/L
-
Distribution and Functions:
- Principal intracellular cation, also important in the extracellular fluid
- Influences muscle activity, especially cardiac muscles
- Important for acid-base balance
- Essential for metabolic functions (e.g., protein synthesis, glycogenesis, glycogenolysis)
Hyperkalemia
-
Causes:
- Renal failure
- Dehydration
- Adrenal insufficiency (Addison's disease)
-
Symptoms:
- Central nervous and cardiac symptoms (bradycardia, poor heart sounds)
- Peripheral vascular collapse and cardiac arrest
- Mental confusion, numbness, weakness of respiratory muscles, and paralysis
Hypokalemia
-
Causes:
- Chronic diseases with malnutrition
- Gastrointestinal losses (vomiting, diarrhea)
- Overactivity of the adrenal cortex (Cushing's syndrome)
- Diuretic administration (e.g., acetazolamide, chlorothiazide)
-
Symptoms:
- Muscle weakness, irritability, paralysis, tachycardia
Calcium
- Distribution: 99% stored in bone and teeth; 1% intracellular (primarily in mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum); 0.1% extracellular (plasma calcium 9-11 mg/dL)
Calcium Functions
- Bone and Tooth Structure: Major mineral in bone and teeth
- Nerve Impulse Transmission: Essential for nerve impulse transmission
- Muscle Contraction: Important for muscle contraction
- Enzyme Activation: Required for activation of certain enzymes
- Blood Clotting: Essential for blood clotting
Hypocalcemia
- Definition: Decrease of plasma calcium level below 9 mg/dL
-
Causes:
- Hypoparathyroidism
- Vitamin D deficiency
- Low serum albumin
- Hypomagnesemia
- Medullary carcinoma of the thyroid
- Chronic renal insufficiency
- Malabsorption
- Alcoholism
Hypercalcemia
- Definition: Increase of plasma calcium level above 11 mg/dL
-
Causes:
- Primary hyperparathyroidism
- Secondary hyperparathyroidism (e.g., in renal failure)
- Vitamin D toxicity
- Tumors producing parathyroid hormone (PTH)-related proteins
- Bone metastasis
Laboratory Tools
- Spectrophotometer: Measures the amount of light absorbed by a sample. Used to determine mineral levels.
- Routine Automated Biochemistry Analyzers: Machines that process many samples for mineral levels quickly.
- Blood Tests: Use blood samples to measure mineral concentration.
- Urine Tests: Analyze urine samples to determine mineral levels (24-hour urine tests are crucial for evaluating dietary intake or loss.)
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Description
Test your knowledge on mineral disorders, focusing specifically on magnesium and its role in the body. This quiz covers normal and abnormal plasma levels, related disorders, and laboratory tools for estimating mineral concentrations. Prepare to explore essential functions of magnesium in muscle and nerve function.
