This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

[orion98665]

Hi Jimmy, wife got her blood result back and her zinc level was 74 µg/dL. My understanding 60-120 µg/dL is
considered a normal range. Is this true, or would you still consider her results to be low..???


Thanks,

Bob

[jimmylegs]

ARG! need you ask?

it's low. typical. (le sigh) is that 60-120 range provided by the lab? if so, BAD, BAD LAB. bad. did I ever mention that labs tick me off?? labs tick me off.

according to the world health organization, the 'normal' range (as distinct from the optimal range) is 75-121.

by that (subpar) standard, your wife's level is deficient. borderline, but under.

healthy controls have serum zinc levels in a tight average around 120. optimal range being approx 115-125.

zinc is the only nutrient i'm aware of so far where the optimal range actually creeps a bit outside the top end of WHO's 'normal'. but there are studies out there where the healthy controls averaged even higher, ie 134. again that's average, so some of those healthy controls had even higher levels than 134.

has your wife been taking daily zinc and if so, how much per day?

[orion98665]

has your wife been taking daily zinc and if so, how much per day?

Thanks Jimmy for your reply!! Nope, she just got her results today. Just out of curiosity what would you recommend
her daily dosage should be..???

is that 60-120 range provided by the lab?

And yes it was provided by the lab

[jimmylegs]

hey again

when i first tested deficient, my level was down in the 50s and my doc said 100mg per day for a month. just as an FYI, at first i took it all in one go and it made me feel sick. better to split it up.

also zinc levels are naturally highest in morning, so i try to take any zinc supplements early in the day.

your wife could try 50mg in the morning and 50mg midmorning or before lunch for 2 weeks, then drop back to 50mg in the morning for 2 more weeks, then retest.

IMPORTANT: ensure the zinc product is blended with 2-3mg of copper.

(bad, bad lab.. ugh)