Evaluation of Some Nutrient Sodium, Potassium and Magnesium levels with Leukemia Patients in Thi-Qar Province, Iraq

Abstract

Objective: The study aimed to determine serum sodium (Na), potassium (K), and magnesium (Mg) levels in patients with ALL, AML and CML in Thi-Qar Governorate, and to evaluate their variations according to sex, and
age. It also aimed to assess the distribution of the studied disease groups by age, sex, and residence and to determine serum Na, K, and Mg concentrations using commercial kits and an atomic absorption analyzer

Study Design: Cross-sectional study
Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Hematology Consultation Unit, Al-Nasiriya Teaching Hospital, Thi-Qar Governorate, Iraq and the "biochemistry Laboratory" at the "College of Science”, University of Thi-Qar, Iraq from November 2025 to April 2026.

Methodology: The study included 99 subjects: 20 with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, 22 with acute myeloid leukaemia, 31 with chronic myeloid leukaemia, and 26 healthy controls, aged 20–85 years. Serum sodium, potassium, and magnesium levels were measured using commercial kits and an atomic absorption analyser. The results were analysed according to age, sex, residence, and disease group.

Results: The distribution of age and sex varied significantly between the groups (p < 0.01). Serum sodium was significantly higher in males than females in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and acute myeloid leukaemia.
Magnesium showed a significant sex-related difference in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, whereas potassium showed no significant difference. Serum sodium increased significantly with age in acute myeloid leukaemia patients.

Conclusion: Age and sex may influence serum micro nutrients levels in haematological malignancies, particularly sodium and magnesium, while potassium showed no significant sex-related variation. residence showed no significant difference among the group (p˃0.05).