1.   Another favorable characteristic is that there is a rapid build-up of serum levels, even when starting at low doses.

2.   During therapy for magnesium depletion, the physician should frequently check the serum magnesium level, especially in patients with renal insufficiency.

3.   For convenience, the serum sodium level is usually taken as the estimate of tonicity.

4.   For example, in acidosis from diarrhea, the serum potassium level is often low rather than high.

5.   For this reason concentrations of potentially interfering metal ions approximating the serum levels are used in the standards.

6.   If the serum albumin concentration is normal, the total serum calcium level reflects the ionized calcium concentration.

7.   In addition, several studies in diabetics have suggested that raised serum cholesterol levels are also associated with the presence of macrovascular disease.

8.   In patients with an increased total body sodium content, administration of salt to increase serum sodium level is inappropriate.

9.   It is important to measure serum levels at steady state after each change of dose.

10.   Its overall effect is to raise serum ionized calcium levels and lower serum phosphorus levels.