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.