Phosphate and magnesium

Published on 01/03/2015 by admin

Filed under Basic Science

Last modified 01/03/2015

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Phosphate and magnesium

Phosphate

Phosphate is abundant in the body and is an important intracellular and extracellular anion. Much of the phosphate inside cells is covalently attached to lipids and proteins. Phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of enzymes are important mechanisms in the regulation of metabolic activity. Most of the body’s phosphate is in bone (Fig 37.1). Phosphate changes accompany calcium deposition or resorption of bone. Control of ECF phosphate concentration is achieved by the kidney, where tubular reabsorption is reduced by PTH. The phosphate that is not reabsorbed in the renal tubule acts as an important urinary buffer.

Hypophosphataemia

Severe hypophosphataemia (<0.3 mmol/L) is rare and causes muscle weakness, which may lead to respiratory impairment. The symptomatic disorder requires immediate intravenous infusion of phosphate. Modest hypophosphataemia is much more common. Alcoholic patients are especially prone to hypophosphataemia.

Causes of a low serum phosphate include: