Association of serum magnesium levels with glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Background: Hypomagnesemia is one of the conditions that can accelerate diabetes complications in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) by altered insulin function and secretion. Hypomagnesemia has been linked to poor glycemic control due to increased insulin resistance and impaired of insulin secretion. Objective: The aim of this study is to analyze the association between serum magnesium levels and glycemic control in patients with T2DM who treated with metformin or pioglitazone. Methods: Serum magnesium levels and HbA1c were examined from a total of 41 patients with T2DM treated with metformin ≥ 750 mg/day for at least 3 weeks or pioglitazone ≥ 15 mg/day for at least 4 weeks with a body mass index (BMI) of < 30 kg/m2. An examination of HbA1c was analyzed using Variant and D10 with National Glychohaemoglobin Standardization Program (NGSP) certification. The serum magnesium level was analyzed using Roche/Hitachi Cobas C 311/501 System. Results: The mean value of serum magnesium levels was 2.04±0.19 mg/dl and the mean of HbA1c was 7.44±1, 57%. There was significant negative correlation between serum magnesium levels with HbA1c (r-0.449, p-value 0.003). Low serum magnesium levels was correlated with poor glycemic control. Conclusion: Serum magnesium levels in patients with T2DM treated with metformin or pioglitazone was inversely correlated to glycemic control. Serum magnesium levels monitoring is important to reduce the risk of diabetes-related complications.