Serum zinc and magnesium level in newly diagnosed type-2 diabetic subjects.

: This cross sectional study aimed to determine serum levels of zinc and magnesium in 80 newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic (Group I) and 80 healthy non-diabetic subjects (Group II). Diabetic patients without any complications were studied. It was carried out in the Department of Biochemistry, Mymensingh Medical College in cooperation with the out patient Department of Endocrinology of Mymensingh Medical College, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University and BIRDEM Hospital, Dhaka during the period from July 2008 to June 2009. A total of 160 subjects aged 55-65 years were enrolled for this study. Of them 80 were newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic (Group I) and 80 were apparently healthy non-diabetic (Group II) subjects. For both case and control, persons having no current medication, intercurrent illness, macro or microvascular complications and history of renal failure were selected. Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) was used to estimate the serum levels of zinc and magnesium. The Plasma zinc (72.07±6.84μg/dl) and magnesium (1.86±0.17mg/dl) significantly decreased in type 2 diabetic patients when compared with control (76.59±6.10μg/dl, 1.99±0.17mg/dl). It is concluded that type 2 diabetes mellitus can result in changes in zinc and magnesium levels. As the present study sample was small so it is difficult to draw any definite conclusion. However, the estimation and supplementation of both zinc and magnesium may be suggested in those cases.