zinc supplements

[Essexlil]

hi everyone, please can I have some advice on my zinc levels. My most recent blood tests on 4th February 2025 show that my zinc levels are only just in the normal range: 11.4 umol/L (11.0-24.0)results just say normal so no contact from GP. Should I be taking zinc supplements and are they safe? I already take B12 and vitamin D+MK2.

Also, following a recent DEXA scan I’m still within the Osteopenia range. I was taking magnesium/vitamin D for this as I refused to take Alendronic acid and Adcal. My magnesium levels are: 0.93mmol/L (0.7-1.0) so I’ve been leaving off the magnesium supplements. My GP has just prescribed Adcal again but after reading that calcium can clog up arteries I’m not keen on taking this.

Your advice, as usual, would be greatly appreciated

[greygoose]

You're right not to take calcium. For one thing, I doubt you need it. For another it is nether a cure nor a preventative for osteoporosis. In fact, excess calcium can make things worse by making bones brittle.

Testing magnesium is useless, the results are unreliable due to the way the body handles it. So, carry on taking it. Vit D won't do you any good without it. Magnesium is water soluble, so if your kidneys are functioning correctly, any excess will be excreted.

Yes, you do need to supplement your zinc. If your zinc is low then your copper will be high, and that's not good.

[Essexlil in reply to greygoose]

Thank you Greygoose, much appreciated advice - I’ll start on zinc and recommence magnesium - I know what I’m doing now - don’t know what we’d do without your expert advice our bodies would be a mess - thank you!

[greygoose in reply to Essexlil]

You're welcome.

[posthinking01]

Hi there - thyroid dysfunction and zinc go together as does magnesium and C etc. - however zinc is a difficult supplement to take - you have to keep carbs away from it and I was advised by a private consultant as I was dangerously low on zinc - to take it at night on an empty stomach when it would be absorbed better - but I didn't know and he didn't tell me that zinc is corrosive and my stomach lining has never been the same since. Are you on any HRT or similar as this can disrupt zinc levels - personally I would just make sure I eat zinc rich foods - meat in particular - zinc can also cause constipation - it is used in India for gastro enteritis issues and is wonderful if you have an upset stomach - I used to take zinc drops and stopped any problems almost immediately. Taking zinc every day can disrupt copper levels too which is why I suggest you just get it from your diet. If you are really concerned then you could buy zinc drops from I think it is bio care and just one drop or so a day could keep levels up without causing bowel issues. Hope this helps.

[Essexlil in reply to posthinking01]

Hi, thank you for your advice. No I'm not on HRT but on top of Hashimotos I have Sjögren’s.

[humanbean]

Info on zinc and zinc supplements :

restartmed.com/the-best-for...

patient.info/healthy-living...

Low or under-range zinc and high or over-range copper are common in people with thyroid disease.

However there are rare people who are found to have the opposite problem i.e. high zinc and low copper.

Zinc and copper work in opposition to each other, i.e. if zinc is low, copper is high. If zinc is high, copper is low.

Since your zinc is very low in range, it suggests that your copper is likely to be high.

To improve your situation i.e. increase zinc and reduce copper, you need zinc supplements. Taking these will increase your zinc level and naturally reduce your copper absorption.

[Essexlil in reply to humanbean]

Hi and thank you - I’ve read both articles - thank you for this information - I’ll buy one of the recommended zinc supplements.

[posthinking01]

Personally I would up my zinc via food - take a look at this - but zinc and thyroid imbalance go together I lost nearly all my zinc at one time.

bing.com/videos/riverview/r...

Hope this helps.

[Bateee]

This is from Harvard Health "One thing the studies have taught us is that both calcium and vitamin D are essential in building bone. If you can get at least 700 mg of calcium from food, that should be enough. But if you're not sure, check with your doctor before just reaching for a calcium supplement.

However, getting enough vitamin D from sunlight and dietary source can be challenging. That's why so many doctors recommend a vitamin D supplement containing 800 IU to 1,000 IU daily."

I have read that seniors need more Vitamin D, if you are over age 65 your vitamin D supplement should be around 2000 IU daily.

If you supplement with zinc you should have your zinc and copper blood levels checked. I supplement with 16mg zinc carnosine 2x/day and 3mg of copper 1x/day. Everyone is different so what works for me would probably not work for you. I started supplementing with zinc to help with digestion, zinc carnosine is used for digestive issues in Japan. I did not start supplementing with copper until after I asked for bloodwork and found out I was low in copper (being low in Cu gave me brain fog).

Best of luck!