Hypomagnesaemia in non-insulin dependent diabetic patient and the effect of metabolic control

ABSTRACT

Serum magnesium levels in relation with improved metabolic control, were studied in 25 Type II diabetic patients before and two months after the initiation of insulin therapy or intensified treatment with oral hypoglycaemic agents. Magnesium levels were significantly lower [P< 0.001] in diabetic patients than in the control. After two months of antidiabetic therapy, metablic control was significantly improved as documented by reduced H[b]A1[c] [glycosylated haemoglobin] levels in both insulin treated patients [P< 0.001] or the patients on oral hypoglycaemic agents [P< 0.002]. However, magnesium levels remained unchanged in the insulin treated groups as well as in patients on oral hypoglycemic agents. This study shows that even marked improvement of glycaemic control does not correct hypomagnesaemia in Type II diabetes