OVERVIEW
What is zinc?
It is a mineral found in body which aids in fighting off infections & producing body cells. It is indicated in healing injuries & creating DNA (genetic blueprint in all cells). Zinc plays important role in our growth, reproduction & sexual development. And therefore, when zinc deficiency occurs it produces symptoms like wounds that don’t heal, unexplained weight loss, diarrhea (loose motions), lack of alertness, loss of appetite, decreased sense of taste/smell, open sores on skin, hair loss, difficulty during pregnancy & impotence in men (unable to achieve an erection).
What is zinc level (24 hour urine) lab test?
This test is indicated when suspecting zinc deficiency or toxicity in an individual. In this test zinc amount excreted in urine is measured over a period of 24 hours.
Why is zinc level (serum) lab test done?
The test is done:
- As it helps in identification/diagnosis of zinc deficiency
- Indicates towards loosely bound or exchangeable zinc in body
- Useful in monitoring follow therapies like oral zinc therapy given in Wilson’s disease
- Monitor exposure to zinc
- Evaluate suspected symptoms of zinc deficiency like nutritional inadequacy, diabetes, growth retardation, hair loss, poor wound healing etc.
- Is fasting required for zinc blood test?
Yes, fasting samples are more preferred, as plasma/serum concentration of zinc is known to decrease after having a meal
- What other tests are there for zinc deficiency?
You may get a plasma/serum blood test, a urine test, and an analysis of strand of hair for measurement of zinc content in body
- Can zinc be taken every day?
Zinc is an essential mineral in body, so having 15 to 30mg of elemental zinc daily can improve blood sugar levels, immunity, heart, eye & skin health. Do not exceed more than 40mg
- Is 50mg dose of zinc considered too much?
Studies show that zinc supplementing more than 50mg per day is known to affect cholesterol in a way that it lowers HDL (good) levels & has no effect on LDL (bad) levels.
- Which compounds help absorb zinc in body?
Amino acids like methionine or histidine & other low-molecular weight ions like EDTA & organic acids (like citrate), have positive impact on zinc absorption. They are used for zinc supplements.
INTERPRETATION OF THE RESULTS:
The reference ranges of zinc is given below, if they fall in the range that means that person is normal/ no zinc deficiency, while if high levels are excreted and low serum zinc is present then it indicates towards liver cirrhosis, increased catabolism (metabolic pathways that breaks down molecules into smaller units) & neoplastic disease (abnormal growth of cells), which needs to be treated as soon as possible:
- Normal range in urine: 20 to 967 mcg/24 hours.
Having elevated levels of serum zinc is of minimal clinical interest.
You get tested to look for zinc deficiency in blood. This helps you in proper identification of zinc levels and helps correct conditions like hair loss, poor wound healing, dermatitis (skin condition), & impaired immune function which occurs due to deficeincy.