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

ABSTRACT

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