Zinc deficiency confusion

[Luac]

Hi all,

I had a first zinc test last december and result was 8.3 with normal range being 10-21. I started supplementation and had a retest in march at 8.9 - still deficient.

I was not adhering strictly to the supplementation, but took it more than i didnt At the time of the second result, I felt that it could be because I did not supplement every day that week.

I do not eat much at the moment - I have zero appetite or desire for food, which could be caused by zinc deficiency at least in part. The only food I have been eating daily is a big bowl of cereal with cow's milk and i snack on bakery products throughout a bad day, most of the time that I do eat a main meal, it is red meat.

I supplemented again - 90mg a day for two weeks - and was retested. It came back normal at 11.7 and therefore can stop supplementing.

My confusion is that if I take a zinc tablet this morning, it will give a positive result tomorrow. If I stop supplementing today, it will likely give a negative result tomorrow. Why am I deficient?

I will keep supplementing, but I think the zinc deficiency is not entirely dietary - in fact my diet hasn't been discussed.

I have malabsorption, chronic sinusitis, tinnitus EPI and PA. I am beginning to think that these are cptsd related.

Do any of you also have zinc deficiency? Any thoughts about supplementation? I know it affects copper levels, so it is useful to take copper at the same time.

Is recovery different from B12 deficiency? IE does it need time to build a store or should it be effective and efficient fairly quickly?

Im remembering how long it took for me to understand b12 deficiency, I hope to get on top of the zinc a lot quicker.

Thanks

[Narwhal10]

Hi Luac,

Sorry to hear of continued problems. I take zinc but that was from a private dietician and functional nutritionist. I’m a coeliac SIBO/SIAO (small intestinal bacterial and archea overgrowth).

If you have taken the zinc just tell the phlebotomist that the results may be skewed. With any supplements, I feel it’s worth taking regularly.

Have you managed to determine malabsorption from EPI and PA ? I know it’s a massive jigsaw for each of us.

Chronic sinusitis can be linked to dairy. Although, last year I really tuned in to my body. I’d eat one sort of food which was weighed. Then wait 20 minutes for a reaction. If I had more than 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper, for example, I’d start streaming. I’d already had hair analysis.

Copper, I would not supplement without dietetics advice as it can build up. With regards to recovery. It is not linear like back in school at chemistry class. There are far too many variables that happen without us even acknowledging. We are not robots, I mean we don’t wake up at the same time, quality of sleep, eat the same food, same conversations (stimulation), it’s not the same temperature every day.

Sorry to hear about CPTSD, the brain and gut are intrinsically linked which is complex and beautiful. Now as you have malabsorption, you cannot produce at the correct quantity certain neurotransmitters (chemicals that act on nerve cells) and hormones (such as cortisol, insulin and ghrelin - hunger hormone. )

So, the gut brain axis is affected (our nervous system) and the HPA axis (2 parts of our brain and adrenals - adrenaline sound familiar ? Adrenals are found on top of our kidneys.).

I firmly believe (as do many holistic practitioners) that you have CPTSD but the issues with your gut means emotionally you can be ‘stuck’. So, it’s a dual approach, diet, nutritional support, addressing any inflammation and gently addressing trauma in a non judgmental manner with kindness. I advocate hypnotherapy and Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprogramming which are non talking therapies.

Best wishes

[Luac in reply to Narwhal10]

Hi narwhal, it is something im exploring. I had a prolonged trauma from age 16-21 and have been in therapy of sorts since then. Only this year have I had the opportunity for proper therapy - emdr is a possibility although ive been told I need to be more stable.

I agree that the ptsd is likely causing a lot of problems, my cortisol is low too. Its frustrating that the nhs dont seem to understand any of that and im just pushed from one specialist to another and then not at all. Ive been discharged from ent and am getting no treatment from them anymore - i cant breathe through my nose at all and i am asking people to repeat themselves all the time.

It really bothers me too, that i have to explain to the drs that if i take a zinc tablet it might affect my results.

The nhs nutritionist told me to take the zinc with copper and recommended a sanatogen multi vit.

Its really confusing to me, the whole zinc thing.

I dont think its dietary, ive has tests etc and experimenting with food hasnt made any difference.

Its very frustrating, how do we get help for this?

[HeartyGilly]

I take 15mg zinc every day and have done for years.

[Luac in reply to HeartyGilly]

Thanks Gilly, I will take up the multivits I had been on. Im guessing you know to keep an eye on copper too.

[HeartyGilly in reply to Luac]

I have connections to the Zinc industry. I do not take enough to affect my copper. 15mg is adequate for a daily dose.

[Susanemily]

You may want to check your serum copper and serum zinc at the same time. I have copper toxicity. If you have high copper it can be due to genetics, chocolate, shellfish, beans many other foods especially if you’re a vegetarian. Copper toxicity is not that uncommon.

[Luac in reply to Susanemily]

Thanks Susan, copper was checked alongside zinc in december and was fine. I know to keep an eye and will be requesting testing as too much zinc can be an issue.