Report of a Case of Pancreatic Diabetes with Severe Zinc Deficiency

Abstract

We encountered a 50-year-old man with pancreatic diabetes who had a long history of heavy alcohol consumption. His serum glucose level was elevated, and he had previously been treated with insulin by another physician. About one year previously he developed erythema of the toes, watery diarrhea, a recurrent aphthous ulcer, glossitis and a taste disorder. His serum zinc level was found to be low, 39 μg/dl (normal range: 50-140). A diagnosis of acrodermatitis due to zinc deficiency was made, and the patient was treated with oral ZnSO₄, 600mg daily. After a few weeks of zinc therapy, serum zinc levels increased and most of the symptoms were resolved.After zinc treatment his glucose intolerance improved, and a slight increase in his plasma C-peptide responce to arginine infusion was observed.