Zinc : Hi My gp recommended taking zinc 40mg a... - Thyroid UK

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Zinc

Jodiedebs55 profile image
12 Replies

Hi

My gp recommended taking zinc 40mg a day as those of you who know me know I dont take anything unless I come here first for advice , i looked into it and it seems beneficial but it also says not for long term use and if too much taken can cause stomach cramps and flu like symptoms ? I have that now and iv not taken it yet ? Does anyone else take zinc ? And is it an every day thing ? Thanks in advance

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Jodiedebs55
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12 Replies

The vit C I take has zinc added and as yet I’ve been fine I have f/m as well and have to be carful what supplements I take but I’m a beginner on all this and don’t know as much as the others x

Hennerton profile image
Hennerton

I take 15mcg per day and have no problem with stomach cramps but we are all different. I believe the problem of long term use is to do with causing an imbalance of copper but it is a low dose so I carry on and it has definitely helped with wound healing, from which I used to suffer.

,

Jodiedebs55 profile image
Jodiedebs55 in reply to Hennerton

Ahhh thankyou for clarifying that I'm due to go to hospital on 22nd March for surgery so I guess it will be beneficial thankyou

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Why not start at slightly lower dose.

Solgar do zinc piccolante. Nice small pill

Perhaps start with 2-3 per week. See how you get on

Alternatively ask GP to test zinc levels first. Or test privately. £39 via Medichecks

Jodiedebs55 profile image
Jodiedebs55 in reply to SlowDragon

That's exactly what I saw on Amazon but held off until I sought advice here thankyou il order them now much appreciated

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering

My gp recommended taking zinc 40mg a day

Did he test your level? If not I would ask him to. Also get copper tested, they need to be in balance. If zinc is low very often we find we have high copper level, but always best to check.

Jodiedebs55 profile image
Jodiedebs55 in reply to SeasideSusie

Thankyou and noooo of course he didn't check my levels first Haha you know what doctors are like that's why I come here before taking anything but I will ask for the test thankyou

greygoose profile image
greygoose

Hypos often have low zinc and high copper. As Susie said, best to get them both tested before starting, if you can - although I believe excess zinc is excreted, it's not good to take it for too long. Excess copper, on the other hand, is nasty!

Why did your doctor suggest taking it? And, why such a high dose? I've never taken more than 15 mg a day.

I took it for quite a long time, and in the beginning, it was like magic! All my muscle pain went away. I stopped it recently because someone said that long-term, it could cause hair-loss. And, I'd started losing hair, again. The hair-loss has now stopped. But, good levels of zinc are necessary for conversion. And for adrenals, I believe.

Jodiedebs55 profile image
Jodiedebs55 in reply to greygoose

I think it was advised due to an operation I'm due to have and apparently zinc helps heal wounds plus the other reason was as you said adrenals , to be honest I kind of switch off after a while and pay more attention to the art work on the walls as they have no clue about thyroid problems so iv all but given up

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to Jodiedebs55

Ah, ok. Are you a slow healer, then? Hypos often are - probably due to low zinc! That would explain the high dose. But, I wouldn't recommend you stay on that dose for very long. But, if it makes your feel good, you could then try going onto a lower dose for a while. :)

Jodiedebs55 profile image
Jodiedebs55 in reply to greygoose

Thanks yes I am a slow healer probs due to hypo I suggested that but she thought it was nothing to do with hypo (laughed in her face ) I think il try the low dose like suggested probably for a couple of months should be ok then thanks for the good advice as always 😁

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to Jodiedebs55

You're welcome. :)

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