STUDIES IN WHOLE-BODY POTASSIUM AND WHOLE-BODY NITROGEN IN NEWLY DIAGNOSED DIABETICS

Abstract

Serial measurements of whole body K and whole body N were carried out in 18 newly diagnosed diabetics. Initial measurements were made before treatment of diabetes was commenced, and further measurements were carried out following the start of treatment. Six patients required insulin and the remainder were treated either with diet alone (4 cases) or with diet and oral hypoglycemic agents. Significant increases in whole body K and whole body N were noted following control of diabetes. These changes were most marked in the patients treated with insulin. The techniques used for measurement of body K and N offer considerable advantages over conventional metabolic balance studies and the results indicate that the losses of K and N during periods of poor diabetic control are much greater than has been realized.