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Serum Ionized Magnesium Levels and Serum Ionized Calcium/Ionized Magnesium Ratios in Women With Menstrual Migraine
Author(s) -
Mauskop Alexander,
Altura Bella T.,
Altura Burton M.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
headache: the journal of head and face pain
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.14
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1526-4610
pISSN - 0017-8748
DOI - 10.1046/j.1526-4610.2002.02075.x
Subject(s) - migraine , magnesium , medicine , menstruation , endocrinology , menstrual cycle , calcium , chemistry , hormone , organic chemistry
Objective.—It has been suggested that magnesium deficiency may play an important role in menstrual migraine and that the serum ionized calcium (ICa 2 + )/ionized magnesium (IMg 2 + ) ratio is important in migraine headache. Studies were designed to test these hypotheses. Design.—We prospectively evaluated 270 women seen at a headache clinic and in 61 women with menstrual migraine measured IMg 2 + , total magnesium, and ICa 2 + levels so as to calculate the ICa 2 + /IMg 2 + ratio. Results.—The incidences of IMg 2 + deficiency were 45% during menstrual attacks, 15% during nonmenstrual attacks, 14% during menstruation without a migraine, and 15% between menstruations and between migraine attacks. The serum ICa 2 + levels were within our reference range, but the ICa 2 + /IMg 2 + ratio was elevated ( P <.01) in menstrual migraine. Conclusions.—The high incidence of IMg 2 + deficiency and the elevated ICa 2 + /IMg 2 + ratio during menstrual migraine confirm previous suggestions of a possible role for magnesium deficiency in the development of menstrual migraine.