Publication:

Study on serum magnesium levels and glycemic status in newly detected type 2 diabetes patients

Background Hypomagnesaemia is known to occur among patients with type 2 diabetes compared with those who are non-diabetics. It has been linked to the development of diabetes mellitus as well as poor glycemic control. Our objective was to assess the levels of serum magnesium among newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes patients and its correlation with their glycemic status.

Methods 42 newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients without any micro or macro vascular complications were selected, divided into two groups (n=21), Group 1 diabetics – HbA1c 7.0%. Serum levels of magnesium and HbA1C values were measured and analysed.

Results Hypomagnesaemia was present in both controlled and uncontrolled diabetics groups. Even though low magnesium levels were noted even at the time of diagnosis, Group 2 had significantly lower values when compared to Group 1 [0.7267 ± 0.2114 vs 1.9862 ± 0.329, P < 0.0001]. Serum magnesium level was inversely correlated to glycemic control which was statistically significant [r = - 0.8647, P < 0.00001].

Conclusions Serum magnesium levels were low at the time of diagnosis of diabetes in our study. As the age of the study population increased, serum magnesium levels also varied but the changes were not statistically significant. Serum levels of magnesium were lower even before the onset of diabetic micro and macro vascular complications. Large scale studies are needed to confirm this observation so that serum magnesium levels can be used as a potential indicator of risk of development of diabetic complications.