US EPA

1022968 

Journal Article 

Calcium, magnesium, and other elements in the red blood cells and hair of normals and patients with premenstrual syndrome 

Shamberger, RJ 

2003 

Yes 

Biological Trace Element Research
ISSN: 0163-4984
EISSN: 1559-0720 

94 

2 

123-129 

English 

12958403 

10.1385/BTER:94:2:123 

WOS:000185073700004 

This study compared the levels of 18 red cell elements and 22 hair elements in 46 patients (median age: 36.2 yr) diagnosed with PMS (premenstrual syndrome) to 50 normals (median age: 37.7 yr). Significantly lower amounts of calcium, chromium, copper, and manganese were found in the blood of patients with PMS. The ratios of Mg/Ca and K/Na and toxic metals such as lead, arsenic, and germanium were significantly elevated in the PMS patients. In hair, mercury and the Zn/Cu ratio were significantly greater in the PMS patients than the controls, but iron, potassium, and the Mg/Ca ratio were lower. The highly significant Mg/Ca ratio in blood cells may be indicative of a more complex relationship between PMS and magnesium and calcium than either element alone. The significantly lower blood cell calcium level found in these studies may provide additional evidence that PMS may be related to a calcium-deficiency state or a metabolic defect involving calcium. 

calcium; magnesium; trace elements; premenstrual syndrome; red blood cells; hair