Objective: To investigate the level of growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) in the serum of patients with type 2 diabetic mellitus (T2DM) and its relation to macro vascular (MV) complications. Methods: Sixty patients with T2DM were divided into non-MV complication group (group A, n=30) and MV complications group (group B, n=30), and 30 normal old persons were also enrolled as control group (group C, n=30). Age, height, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, and serum levels of GDF-15, blood lipids, glycated hemoglobin and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) were investigated, and results were statistically analyzed to find the influencing factors. Results: The serum levels of GDF-15 in group A and group B were higher than in group C, and the level of GDF-15 in group B was higher than in group A (P < 0.05). The level of GDF-15 was positively correlated with WHR, SBP, TC, TG, LDL, HbAlc, hsCRP, and negatively correlated with HDL. Taking GDF-15 as the dependent variable, and age, sex, BMI, WHR, SBP, DBP, TG, TC, LDL, HDL, HbAlc, and hsCRP as independent variables for multiple linear stepwise regression analysis, the result had shown that hsCRP and LDL were the major factors that affect the GDF-15 level in serum. Conclusion: The serum level of GDF-15 increased in type 2 diabetic patients, especially in patients with macro vascular complication, indicating that GDF-15 may be a risk factor for type 2 diabetes and macro vascular disease.