Zinc and Copper Deficiencies

Hello, All! Well it's always something - isn't it? Before I begin - a refresher - I have AMAG, PA; take B12 sublinguals daily along with 500mg folic acid daily, iron twice a week - low dose, vitamin D daily and thyroid med daily. Because of my inability to absorb B12 I thought maybe other nutrients were not absorbing as well so I asked my gastroenterologist if she would order tests. She only ordered B1, Copper and Zinc - why only those I wonder? Anyway, The zinc came back 49ug with a range of 60-122; the copper came back 71ug and its range is 80-155. She put me on 50 mgs of zinc daily and I've been on it now since April 3. She didn't order copper treatment until I asked her about it (because I had read that zinc can cause a deficiency of copper). She put me on otc copper, 2 mg to take daily. The zinc is a prescription. Almost immediately the zinc has helped me with my insomnia - unbelievably and I'm grateful. I took the copper for the first time yesterday afternoon. Today I feel like a zombie and have the flu basically without the vomit - as well as dizzy and worse head fog as all get out. My questions to you are: Is there any connections between zinc and copper deficiencies and PA/B12D? I have read you should not take zinc and copper together and I have read you SHOULD take zinc copper and zinc together. Which is correct? Yesterday I took them 5 hours apart, 4 pm for the copper and my regular 9:30 p.m. for the zinc. Both on an empty stomach. As always, any insight you can give me will be appreciated!

[doityourself]

HiHoping someone knowledgeable replies to you. I have often wondered about additional nutritional deficiencies when suffering from PA, hypothyroidism...

Wishing you well, with all that that means!

[Littlelodge123]

She ordered those tests most likely because they are common deficiencies in prople with disrupted gut microbiodata. People with PA often have disrupted guts and dysbiosis caused probably by a lack of stomach acid responsible and needed for absorption. I had the same tests and the other B vits too and my deficiency was the same as yours. Incidentally B1 is required for absorption of carbohydrates and massive doses 500mg) are often safely given to people with dysbiosis and also with fibromyalgia. Some good research on this shows it works for many. People with IBS similarly find high dose B1 helpful with symptom relief. With zinc supplementation the trick is to replicate what the RDA is. That means taking about 60mg of zinc eith 2mg of copper and they should be taken together. High doses of zinc (above 60mg) without copper supplementation can deplete copper over time (it is not immediate). Hope that helps.

[Hidden in reply to Littlelodge123]

Yes it does! Thank you, Littlelodge. I forgot to mention in my post that the B1 came back normal. It is just the zinc and copper that are below normal. I will start taking the copper and zink together starting tomorrow as I have already taken the copper today and I prefer to take zinc in the evening as it really does help me go to sleep and stay asleep. As I mentioned in my post, my doctor has ordered only 2 mg of copper and 50 zinc. I have tried HCL but if I don't have the correct amount of protein in the meal I'm eating it really does a number on me so I've been just eating fermented foods mostly Greek yogurt non-sugar and nonfat which helps. Thanks again.

[Littlelodge123]

I am not an expert but 50 or 60 mg of zinc with that small measure of copper is about the right proportion and i would not think you would be doing any harm. It really dos sound as if your gastro knows what they are trying to achieve which is reassuring. I use HCL and it is a game changer for me but everyone is different as we all acknowledge. Good luck with it all.

[Hidden in reply to Littlelodge123]

Thanks again! 💕

[Technoid]

The dosages sound correct to me. Zinc over 40mg long-term can lower Copper so you were right to bring up Copper and 2mg sounds about right. Take them 4 hours apart for best absorption of each. Taking on an empty stomach (especially Zinc) may cause stomach upset for some people so if you experience this I wouldnt see any reason you cannot take that one with a meal, the effectiveness may be slightly reduced but it seems more important to take it any way you can, even if its not the most 100% optimal dose timing.

[Hidden in reply to Technoid]

Thank you, Technoid. The zinc I've been taking about 3 hours after dinner with no stomach problems. And the copper I've been taking 2 hours before dinner, so about 6 hours are between the Z and C.