AsseyMethod: Photo Colorimetric
Abbrevation: Zn
Sector: Biochemistry
SampleType: S,U,BF
S.Vol: -
Transport: at 2-8˚c, -20˚c
Storage: 1 week at 2-8˚c for longer time at -20˚
Test Name: Zinc
Normal Range: Male:72.6-127 Female:70-114 Child:63-110 New born:49-99
To measure the amount of zinc in the blood (serum/plasma) in order to identify/diagnose deficiency or to monitor response to supplementation
When you have symptoms that may suggest zinc deficiency e.g hair loss, poor wound healing
A blood sample taken from a vein in your arm or rarely a 24 hour urine sample
No test preparation is needed (although fasting results are preferred as zinc concentrations can decrease after meals)
This test measures the amount of zinc in the serum/plasma/urine. Zinc is an essential trace element with important functions throughout the body. Zinc is important for protein synthesis, enzyme function and plays a structural role in proteins and nucleic acids.
Zinc is a component of many high protein foods such as meat, fish and dairy products. It is present in vegetables and grains but the bioavailability is reduced because dietary fibres can inhibit its absorption.
Approximately 20-30% of ingested zinc is absorbed in the small intestine. Zinc is transported in the plasma bound to albumin (~80%) and α2-macroglobulin (~20%). The major route of zinc excretion is via the faeces with little being lost in urine, sweat and other bodily secretions.
Zinc is present in many tissues throughout the body but is not stored at any particular site. Therefore in anabolic states where zinc requirements exceed intake, or where poor absorption occurs, zinc deficiency can result.
Zinc deficiency can present clinically with hair loss, poor wound healing, dermatitis and impaired immune function. In children zinc deficiency can cause growth retardation.
Conditions commonly associated with zinc deficiency include: Alcoholism, pregnancy & burns.
Acrodermatitis enteropathica is an inherited disorder of zinc metabolism/absorption. Zinc deficiency can be treated by supplementation and leads to improvement of clinical symptoms.
How is the sample collected for testing?
A blood sample is taken from a vein in the arm and/or a urine sample (preferably 24h collection) is provided.
Is any test preparation needed to ensure the quality of the sample?
Haemolysis (red blood cell rupture that occurs when the sample is taken) should be avoided as red blood cells contain ~10x the amount of zinc than that of plasma/serum. Fasting samples may be preferred as plasma/serum zinc concentrations have been shown to decrease after eating meals.