Association of Serum Magnesium Levels with Glycemic Control in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a prominent metabolic condition defined by enduring hyperglycemia caused by inadequate insulin production and insulin resistance. Magnesium, an essential intracellular cation, plays a vital role in glucose metabolism, insulin signaling, and enzymatic reactions. Magnesium insufficiency is commonly noted in individuals with T2DM and has been linked to inadequate glycemic regulation, insulin resistance, and the onset of diabetes complications. Evaluation of serum magnesium could serve as a significant biochemical indicator of metabolic condition. The aim is to assess serum magnesium concentrations in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus and examine their correlation with glycemic regulation. Material and Methods: A hospital-based analytical study of a cross-sectional nature was carried out in the Department of Biochemistry, in partnership with the Department of General Medicine, lasting 8 months from July 2025 to February 2026. The analysis featured 180 subjects with an established diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus, identified thru consecutive sampling. Venous blood collections were performed under strict aseptic conditions. A completely automated biochemistry analyzer was used to estimate serum magnesium levels. Standard laboratory procedures were used to assess serum creatinine, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting blood glucose, postprandial blood glucose, and lipid profile. SPSS version 25.0 was used for the statistical analysis. A statistically significant p-value was one that was less than 0.05. Results: The mean age of the participants was 56.7 ± 10.5 years, with males accounting for 104 (57.8%) of the study population. Hypomagnesemia (serum magnesium <1.7 mg/dL) was detected in 66 (36.7%) patients, whereas 111 (61.7%) had normal magnesium levels and 3 (1.6%) had elevated levels. The mean serum magnesium concentration was significantly lower among patients with poor glycemic control than those with good glycemic control (1.56 ± 0.24 mg/dL vs. 2.02 ± 0.20 mg/dL; p<0.001). Conclusion: Individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus often experience hypomagnesemia. Lower serum magnesium levels correlated strongly with elevated fasting blood glucose, postprandial blood glucose, and HbA1c, highlighting the potential role of magnesium deficiency in impaired glucose metabolism and poor metabolic control. Estimation of serum magnesium may serve as a simple, cost-effective laboratory parameter for identifying diabetic patients at risk of poor metabolic control.

Keywords: Glycemic control; HbA1c; Hypomagnesemia; Serum magnesium; Type 2 diabetes mellitus.