zinc blood test

[D9d9]

Has anyone in the Uk had a blood test for Zinc? Cant get done on the nhs apparently..?

Is there a reputable private one recommended?

Thanks

[humanbean]

I don't know if there have been specific recommendations for a zinc test.

I don't know if you know this, but zinc and copper have a strong relationship.

If zinc goes down then copper goes up.

If zinc goes up then copper goes down.

People with thyroid disease are more likely to have low zinc and high copper than high zinc and low copper (although the latter has been reported by forum members just once or twice).

thyroiduk.org/role-of-vitam...

I haven't found any useful tests with Medichecks related to zinc and copper, but Blue Horizon Medicals has a few tests which include zinc and/or copper available :

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

There may be discount codes available for Blue Horizon.

thyroiduk.org/help-and-supp...

Regenerus has some urine tests and blood tests that include zinc and copper (but no discount codes as far as I remember) :

regeneruslabs.com/collectio...

thyroiduk.org/help-and-supp...

[J972]

Hi,

I recently checked my zinc levels using Youth-Revisited. I’ve copied the link to their zinc test which, annoyingly, seems to have increased in price from £35 a few weeks ago to £50.

youth-revisited.co.uk/produ...

[D9d9 in reply to J972]

I have just looked at Youth revisited and cant find the Zinc test?

Have found it now, thanks.

[TiggerMe]

I had it tested by the NHS via GP a few weeks ago.... they didn't know what to do when it can back as under range though 🤷‍♀️

[Regenallotment]

I paid £20 with youth revisited zinc test a couple of weeks ago. Was low on range, GP has arranged NHS test to monitor.

[D9d9 in reply to Regenallotment]

I have just looked at Youth revisited and cant find the Zinc test?

Have found it now, thanks.

[Leaney]

I get a zinc test, regularly, via my GP. It has been low for some time. Copper levels were up because of it. After struggling to correct it for years by taking high doses of zinc, I was finally told that wholegrains, prevent absorption of zinc! I now take the supplement after a meal that has no wholegrains in it and my zinc levels are increasing.

I am interested to see the comment above about thyroid being involved. My doctor has just ordered a full blood test to be done for me but he has indicated that I do not need to starve for the thyroid or diabetes part. Advice on this would be appreciated.

[Miffie in reply to Leaney]

Most of us don’t actually starve for thyroid function tests we just have a short fast having nothing but water on test day until post blood draw which should ideally be around 9am. Diabetic tests carried out at the GP surgery do not require any fasting or starving unless you are advised of the need to fast for up to 12 hours or so and that you will be unable to leave the surgery for at least two hours. This test is usually only done once to confirm a suspected diabetes diagnosis. Highly unlikely you are having that without the specifics I gave you being mentioned by either the GP or whoever allocated your appointment. I have been T2 diabetic for 12 years and only once had the fasting hang around test which was confirmation of diagnosis. Other ( the routine ) diabetic tests either reflect the blood sugar level at a moment in time ( finger prick) or if a blood draw show a measurement of the last 2-3 months. Good luck

[Leaney in reply to Miffie]

Thanks Miffie. My test is in the afternoon and he did say I would not have to starve. I just wondered if those types of thyroid tests were very accurate? I have been tested so many times over the years but never heard the results. I now know that they take no notice of results that are in the low end of normal or even out of the normal range. I, therefore, access my notes to read them for myself.

[catpotter44 in reply to Leaney]

As I understand thyroid needs to ne tested in the morning after fasting. Don't take your meds until after. TSH fluctuares throughout the day so an afternoon reading could give you a false reading

[Leaney in reply to catpotter44]

That was my understanding. He is just doing a general health check but my zinc levels are persistently low so thyroid could be involved?

[Miffie in reply to Leaney]

An afternoon blood test will give a lower TSH reading but fT4 & fT3 won’t vary so much. Getting a morning blood test from my surgery is well nigh impossible so I do private testing to check. I realise it’s harder to get diagnosis these days.

[fiftyone]

yes, I am having regular zinc tests on the NHS and taking zinc citrate supplement. I have difficulty absorbing some vitamins etc. through my stomach. B12 is one of them. When I asked if there could be any others I was told Zinc. When they did a test, my Zinc was NIL!!

[Leaney in reply to fiftyone]

Did you have any symptoms of being deficient in Zinc? I had a very sore tongue which my dentist identified and told me to ask for a blood test. Doctor scoffed saying "we are told of this in med school but I have never seen a case". Well he won't see a case if he is so negative will he?!

[fiftyone in reply to Leaney]

My hair has been falling out and zinc is involved but I also have low iron which affects hair follicles. Nothing else.

[Staffsgirl]

I had several minerals tested with a company called Medicines Online. I wouldn’t recommend them. Only two of the six results came back and it has taken a very long time to get any form of compensation. Another post on here reported a bad experience with the same company.

[Rabat1923]

Hi…Medicheck do a good range of blood tests. Often they have special offers on a Thursday. Finger prick is also available. Check them out. Good luck. Susan.

[bardie53]

I've had my zinc tested and copper levels via NHS - may depend on your GP?