Dietary Supplements

Chronic magnesium supplementation in a patient with relapsing severe hypomagnesaemia due to a novel TRPM6 variant diagnosed in adulthood.

TL;DR

Adult-onset familial hypomagnesaemia with secondary hypocalcaemia (HOMG1) due to a novel TRPM6 variant was managed long-term with parenteral magnesium supplementation, with intravenous administration effective for over 3 years before device infections and venous occlusions necessitated transition to subcutaneous infusion.

Key Findings

A man in his late 50s was diagnosed with adult-onset familial hypomagnesaemia with secondary hypocalcaemia (HOMG1, OMIM #602014) due to a novel TRPM6 variant.

  • The patient presented with muscle cramps due to severe hypomagnesaemia
  • HOMG1 is caused by impaired gastrointestinal magnesium absorption
  • The diagnosis was established following extensive evaluation
  • The TRPM6 variant identified was described as novel

Oral magnesium supplementation was insufficient to maintain stable serum magnesium concentrations in this patient.

  • Insufficiency of oral supplementation was attributed to impaired gastrointestinal absorption characteristic of HOMG1
  • Inadequate oral supplementation led to recurrent emergency department presentations
  • The failure of oral supplementation necessitated alternative supplementation routes

Intravenous magnesium administered twice weekly was effective for over 3 years.

  • Intravenous magnesium was given two times a week
  • This regimen was effective for over 3 years
  • Device infections and venous occlusions ultimately rendered intravenous access unfeasible
  • These complications necessitated a transition to an alternative route of administration

Subcutaneous magnesium infusion provided an alternative route when intravenous access became unfeasible.

  • Subcutaneous infusion was initiated after intravenous access was no longer feasible due to device infections and venous occlusions
  • Local pain at the infusion site required concomitant use of anaesthetics
  • Recurrent allergic reactions to the anaesthetic agents introduced additional challenges
  • The subcutaneous route represented a viable but complex alternative

This case illustrates a rare presentation of HOMG1 with adult onset, contrasting with the typically pediatric presentation of the condition.

  • The patient presented in his late 50s, representing an adult-onset case
  • HOMG1 is typically recognized earlier in life
  • Hypomagnesaemia is described as a common clinical finding, often secondary to proton pump inhibitor use or excessive alcohol use
  • The case highlights challenges in long-term parenteral magnesium supplementation management

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Citation

Bogaert E, Hartjes K, Boots J. (2026). Chronic magnesium supplementation in a patient with relapsing severe hypomagnesaemia due to a novel TRPM6 variant diagnosed in adulthood.. BMJ case reports. https://doi.org/10.1136/bcr-2025-268968