Trace element studies on Karachi populations; part 1: normal ranges for blood copper, zinc and magnesium for adults

Normal ranges in whole blood were established for copper, zinc and magnesium for a Karachi population. For copper, it is 71 - 116 ug/dl [mean 93.5], there being no significant difference between the sexes; for zinc, males 602.5 - 850 ug/dI [mean 726], females 519 - 853 [686], P < 0.01 for males+ females 5d- 859.5 [711] : and for magnesium, males 2.97 - 4.80 ug/dl [mean 3.78], females 2.65 - 4.66 [3.50], 0.05 > P > 0.01; for males + females 2.75 - 4.80 [3.61]. There were weak correlations only between pairs of blood metal levels for the population

Trace element studies in Karachi populations part III: blood copper, zinc, magnesium and lead levels in psychiatric patients with disturbed behaviour

Blood levels of copper, zinc, magnesium and lead were determined in 29 males and 15 females suffering from disturbed behaviour. As far as we could ascertain they were under no medication and belonged to low income groups. Male patients had significantly higher levels than female patients for zinc [0.05 > P> 0.01] but there was no sexual difference for magnesium or copper. In patients copper and lead levels were higher than for normals [P < 0.01], but no difference could be found for Mg and Zn. At least one metal abnormality was observed in 19 [65.5%] of the males and 9 [60.0%] of the female patients