Aggravation of thiamine deficiency by magnesium depletion. A case report.

A patient with Crohn's disease and long-standing diarrhea resulting in a combined thiamine and magnesium deficiency is presented. Despite massive doses of thiamine i.v., the symptoms of thiamine deficiency could not be suppressed until the magnesium deficiency was corrected as well. This case report emphasizes the dependence of thiamine on magnesium for an adequate function in the body.