How do I know if I have zinc deficiency?

A zinc deficiency can be diagnosed using a blood test, urine test, or hair analysis. As some conditions can lead to a zinc deficiency, your doctor may do additional testing to discover the root cause.

healthline.com - Zinc Deficiency: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and More - Healthline

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We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here’s our process. How we vet brands and products Healthline only shows you brands and products that we stand behind. Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we: Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm?

Do they have the potential to cause harm? Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence?

Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence? Assess the brand: Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices? We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness. Read more about our vetting process. Overview Zinc is a mineral that your body uses for fighting off infections and producing cells. It’s important for healing injuries and creating DNA, the genetic blueprint in all of your cells. If you’re not getting enough zinc in your diet, you may have side effects such as hair loss, lack of alertness, and a reduced sense of taste and smell. Zinc deficiency is rare in the United States, but it still occurs in some people. Symptoms Zinc is used by your body in cell production and immune functions. There is still a lot more to learn about zinc, but we do know that zinc is an essential part of growth, sexual development, and reproduction. When you’re zinc deficient, your body can’t produce healthy, new cells. This leads to symptoms such as: unexplained weight loss

wounds that won’t heal

lack of alertness

decreased sense of smell and taste

diarrhea

loss of appetite

open sores on the skin Summary Zinc is essential for growth and sexual development, a deficiency in this mineral can lead to a variety of physical ailments. Risk factors If you’re pregnant and have zinc deficiency, your baby might not have what it needs to develop properly in your womb. And if you and your partner are trying to become pregnant, zinc deficiency could make it difficult. That’s because zinc deficiency may lead to impotence in men. Read more: The link between zinc and erectile dysfunction » The people at the highest risk of zinc deficiency in the United States are infants who are breastfeeding and older adults. Pregnant women need more zinc than usual because the zinc in their body is needed to help the developing baby. People with alcoholism are also at risk of deficiency. Some research shows that alcohol makes it harder for your body to digest zinc. Summary It’s important for pregnant women to maintain healthy zinc levels during and (if breastfeeding) after pregnancy to ensure the proper development of their baby. Diagnosing zinc deficiency Zinc is distributed in trace amounts among the cells in your body, making it difficult to detect zinc deficiency through a simple blood test. If your doctor suspects a zinc deficiency, they will need to test your blood plasma for an accurate reading. Other tests for zinc deficiency include a urine test and an analysis of a strand of your hair to measure the zinc content. Sometimes zinc deficiency is a symptom of another condition. For example, some conditions may cause zinc to be processed in your body but not absorbed well. Zinc deficiency can also lead to copper deficiency. Your doctor will be aware of these possibilities. They may do additional testing to get to the root of your deficiency. Summary A zinc deficiency can be diagnosed using a blood test, urine test, or hair analysis. As some conditions can lead to a zinc deficiency, your doctor may do additional testing to discover the root cause.

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Treating zinc deficiency Diet changes Long-term treatment for zinc deficiency starts with changing your diet. To start, consider eating more: red meat

poultry

seeds

wheat germ

wild rice

oysters If you’re a vegetarian, it might be more difficult to get the amount of zinc you need from the foods you eat. Consider baked beans, cashews, peas, and almonds as alternative sources of zinc. The United States Department of Agriculture keeps an up-to-date, comprehensive list of foods that are high in zinc. Add more of these foods to your diet to help prevent deficiency. Supplements You can also treat your zinc deficiency right away with supplements. Zinc is found in many multivitamin supplements. It’s also found in some cold medicines, though you shouldn’t take cold medicine if you’re not sick. You can also buy supplements that contain only zinc. If you’re using supplements to boost the amount of zinc in your body, be careful. Zinc can interact with some antibiotics, arthritis medications, and diuretics. Shop for zinc supplements online. Summary Changing your diet to include foods rich in zinc is the best way to treat a zinc deficiency. Zinc supplements are available but should be used with caution, as they can interfere with certain medications. When to call your doctor In most cases, a zinc deficiency is not an emergency. That said, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding and suspect a zinc deficiency, it’s extremely important that you address it right away. Zinc is essential to healthy development in the womb. If you know that you are deficient and have diarrhea that lasts for several days, you should call a doctor. Zinc is the mineral that helps your intestines fight off infection, and without it, your infection might become more serious. As with any condition, you should contact your healthcare provider if you: feel dizzy or nauseous

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have a sudden headache that will not go away

experience unconsciousness Summary A zinc deficiency is not an emergency in most cases. However you should contact your doctor if you suspect you may have a zinc deficiency, especially if you are pregnant.

healthline.com - Zinc Deficiency: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and More - Healthline

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