I am in complete despair with the NHS at the moment for various reasons. I've also got a minerals test kit that I will have to do either Monday or Tuesday next week, and in a panic as it needs not 1 but 2 vials of blood. No idea how I'm going to pull that off.
Anyway, back to your test after that mini rant! I mean they aren't even good with ferritin and need beating with a large stick to prescribe for low levels. I think I'd just be grateful that they tested for it and as usual come here for advice on how much to take.
Great thing to know though and now you can work on it. 👍
I've not seen her yet, but I shall ask her.... I was putting words into her mouth and my GP's ear 🙂, I do tend to get mouth ulcers and soreness so thought it likely my zinc was low.... someone said it's something the dentist might say 😉
You can go to the phlebothamy dept of your local hospital and ask to draw. A friend of mine did and they were fine about it (private test kit) as long as he had the vials/paperwork and envelope - as they sealed it up. He had tried to get the blood and couldn't get so the test kit provders sent him a new one through the post. I think he phoned the NHS dept first to see if would. I think they charged him £20. He said just seemed happy to be receiving money.
I did hear that my very local tiny hospital will take blood for payment so I may do that. Would really like to try it myself. If it were one vial I would but 2 is plain off putting!
That's really good! I asked at mine last year they said no to taking blood for a private test. I'll ask them again next time I'm there.
My local hospital will only do consultant requested tests you have to go to another blood centre in the area (there are lots to choose from ) if it's a GP requested test 🙄 Really annoying when you have both GP and hospital blood tests to do 🥴
That's a shame. Maybe try a different hospital. The phlebothamy dept.
I have blood tests including homoscysteine which has to be in the lab really within the half hour so I have to have taken at the hospital. I have lots of other blood tests and so have them all at the hospital. The GP puts blood test requests on to the computer even if the surgery nurse is drawing the blood so its not an issue for the GP. I just take my NHS no and the Phlebothamist accsesses my record and request. I would always go to the phlebothamy dept for blood tests as they are so experienced and is what they do all day. No black and blue arms and you just turn up, no appointment days/times to stick to
Unfortunately the hospital phlebotomy dept will only do consultant requested blood tests. It is a drop in service. Any GP ones are refused and you have to pre-book at other locations in Liverpool to get them done. They check the blood forms now before they allow you anyway near the department.
It only changed a few years ago I think mainly as they were overwhelmed. You could easily wait an hour at the hospital with 50 people in front of you to get bloods done. It was quite stressful.
The changes mean it's much quicker now getting blood taken at the hospital. But now getting appointments for GP requested tests can mean booking at community venues well in advance. So takes some organising.
My GP surgery doesn't do any blood taking. The nurses there don't do that anymore. Same with ear syringing. Not done at my GP surgery's any more. You have to book elsewhere 🥴
Shucks! I can look forward to changes at ours then. I knew abour GP refusal re ear syringing. A friend of mine found that out - she just has to go private at an opticians /hearing centre. I despair of ever trying to get an appointment or even getting to be able to speak to a receptionist at our GP surgery now. Not allowed to pop in to arrange one, not allowed to email, the ask my doctor online scrapped' so can only phone at 8.30am and after you have listened to the compulsory message of abuse of staff will not be tolerated, its 8.32 and not allowed to join the phone queue as too long to join. Heavens 🤣
I have been taking 30mg picolinate (300% NRV Pure Encapsulations) but a liposomal is likely a better option as I know you will have done your homework, think I shied away from them due to the sunflower content?
Views on Ionic?
I wonder if they will re-test when I go back in a few months time having followed their advice??
I don't know if ionic or liposomal is the more superior form, as I understand they both offer good bioavailability. I used Aqueous Zinc by Biotics research - ingredients just Purified Water and Zinc Sulfate.
On a different note I use ionic magnesium on my knee as it often aches after long walks and it has really helped.
my zinc also been low and magnesium so I started pure encapsulations zinc 30mg. Does it take few good month for levels to go up as I understand it’s a bit of a lengthy process to build levels ? Same as magnesium possibly minimum 3 months of daily use ?
I guess it depends on the deficiency. Mine was severe, diagnosed by GP but treated by my (then) nutritionist who had me on two bottles of the liposomal (which were very expensive and didn’t last long), before switching to Zn-Zyme Forte tablets. I tested after about four months but it took about a year for levels to raise enough. Now I just use a multivit.
omg one year I think it’s a long process same as magnesium I have read takes 40 weeks for it to reach sufficient levels I’m low deficient in both I keep using supplements n not skip a day . I will re test after 3 month again to see where I’m . Thanks for sharing n glad your levels are good now did u feel any difference ?
Wound healing improved dramatically. Other than that I was addressing a load of deficiencies at that time so it's hard to gauge what helped what, and as zinc is vital for good deiodinase activity, I think optimal levels help all round.
Yes, when considering Deiodinase Type 1 & 2 but also ‘normalising’ Type 3 behaviours (avoiding excess RT3 that inactivates too much thyroid hormone), and zinc is massive in regulating the intracellular availability of thyroid hormone. I believe the T3 receptor requires zinc to accept and do what it does best with T3.
‘In addition, 30% of cellular zinc is found within the nucleus (2), and a large number of proteins that play a role in the regulation of gene expression have been either shown or suspected to contain zinc’.
Gosh! I am always concerned about zinc copper balance. I make my cocao powder/butter/coconut oil drink every morning which will be high in copper. I do take high zinc capsules but only every other day or so because concerned thatI will throw the balance out with too much zinc
great news 👏👏👏 you got a test via GP!! I’ve put a request in won’t hold my breath. I see no note about copper being high? Does that need addressing? My unqualified amateur logic being if that’s high your zinc will remain low… maybe? Dunno.. 🤷🏽♀️
Not sure if you know Eeyore but I had both selenium, zinc and copper tested recently and lo and behold my copper was 21.8 (11.0-25.1) so still within range but zinc was 8.0 (9.2-19.2) so obviously deficient. GP didn't advise me on this so I just started taking 30 mcg zinc and so was pleased to see your post and also comments from radd .
Interestingly I read that people who suffer from anxiety usually have way too much copper in their bodies and not enough zinc and that copper can inhibit and block the neurotransmissions of GABA, one of the main calming neurotransmitters in the central nervous system. As copper builds up more and more it becomes increasingly exhausting on the body and the individual can start to break down mentally, leading to an inability to cope adequately with stress (this has definitely been me) and last but not least CFS is associated with zinc deficiency.
What a shame that GP's don't automatically test for vitamin and mineral deficiencies instead of handing out prescriptions which never get to the root cause of health issues. So according to Radd it may take a year for zinc levels to improve but at least it gives me hope again🙏
Regenallotment (slight fib about the dentist request did the trick 😉) yes I need to go down that rabbit hole, I think by supplementing zinc it will balance out the copper 🤷♀️ but it's been a while since I last read about it and has all leaked out of my brain, which is why it is so handy having radd to run these things around with 🤗
I had to laugh about the dentist request but whatever it takes😁 I feel very grateful to so many people on this forum who have shared their expertise and knowledge because it certainly hasn't been forthcoming from doctors. Even the private endo who I had two zoom sessions with told me that I shouldn't need to take any vitamins or supplements at all other than vit D☹️ So glad for you that you got the test done🤗
Which zinc have you opted for? I came across this but it doesn't cover ionic, liposomal or Radds' zinc sulfate heptahydrate...
Comparative absorption of zinc picolinate, zinc citrate and zinc gluconate in humans
S A Barrie, J V Wright, J E Pizzorno, E Kutter, P C Barron
PMID: 3630857 DOI: 10.1007/BF01974946
Abstract
The comparative absorption of zinc after oral administration of three different complexed forms was studied in 15 healthy human volunteers in a double-blind four-period crossover trial. The individuals were randomly divided into four groups. Each group rotated for four week periods through a random sequence of oral supplementation including: zinc picolinate, zinc citrate, and zinc gluconate (equivalent to 50 mg elemental zinc per day) and placebo. Zinc was measured in hair, urine, erythrocyte and serum before and after each period. At the end of four weeks hair, urine and erythrocyte zinc levels rose significantly (p less than 0.005, p less than 0.001, and p less than 0.001) during zinc picolinate administration. There was no significant change in any of these parameters from zinc gluconate, zinc citrate or placebo administration. There was a small, insignificant rise in serum zinc during zinc picolinate, zinc citrate and placebo supplementation. The results of this study suggest that zinc absorption in humans can be improved by complexing zinc with picolinic acid.
Hi TiggerMe , I'm low but not deficient in both zinc and copper, don't know if it's working yet but I've been using Igennus, High Absorption Chelated Zinc Complex 25mg with Copper, Gentle Zinc Picolinate & Bisglycinate
Previously neither Zinc Gluconate nor Citrate made any difference to my serum levels. Fingers crossed this has... but I've only been taking it a month so probably too soon to tell.
I have been battling zinc deficiency for several years. My dentist alerted me too. My GP is very tight with medication so I spent a long time on low doses before getting to the maximum dose. He mentioned, after a couple of years ,that wholegrains can block the absorption of zinc. I still struggled but found out that rather than leaving out wholegrains entirely I only needed to not take the zinc supplement at the same time as eating wholegrains. My copper was high but has stabilised since the zinc has picked up.
My supplement was dissolvable and to be taken with food. Just not with whole grains which made life difficult as I eat jumbo oats for breakfast and wholemeal bread for lunch!
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Beginners post: Thyroid antibody test results in plain English please 
Ferritin, Iron & Iron Binding - Haemochromatosis / Iron Avidity / Iron Overload - Blood results
Sorry another query on test results
Low Zinc
