SERUM GLUCOSE, BILIRUBIN, CALCIUM, PHOSPHORUS, PROTEIN AND ALBUMIN CONCENTRATIONS DURING RAMADAN

Serum levels of glucose, bilirubin, calcium, phosphorus, protein and albumin were measured in a group of nine healthy men before, and on the first, 10th, 20th and 29th day of Ramadan, and four weeks after Islamic fasting was terminated. There was a significant reduction in body weight, a significant increase in serum bilirubin and a slight decrease in calcium during Ramadan. Serum glucose decreased on the first and 10th days of Ramadan, but increased thereafter and reached pre-Ramadan values on the 29th day. The lowest serum glucose recorded was 63 mg/dl. All changes returned to basal values four weeks after Ramadan. There was no significant change in the levels of serum phosphorus, protein or albumin. Physicians caring for Muslims during this month should be aware of these changes.