Zinc
An essential trace element needed for immune function, taste and smell, skin, wound healing and hundreds of enzymes. Deficiency causes recognisable problems and is worth correcting, but the blood level is an imperfect guide to the body's true zinc status.
What it measures
Zinc is a trace mineral that acts as a cofactor for hundreds of enzymes and is vital for a working immune system, normal taste and smell, healthy skin, wound healing, growth and reproduction. Most zinc in the body is inside cells, and the small amount in the blood is largely bound to proteins like albumin, which is why the serum level is only a rough guide to whole-body zinc — a low albumin, or the inflammation of any acute illness, can lower the blood zinc without a true deficiency. Deficiency is uncommon on a varied diet but occurs with poor intake, alcohol excess, malabsorption (such as coeliac or inflammatory bowel disease), and increased losses. It causes a recognisable picture: frequent infections, loss of taste, hair loss, a skin rash (especially around the mouth and hands), poor wound healing and, in children, slowed growth. At the other end, excessive zinc supplements can cause copper deficiency, so both directions matter.
What a high value can mean
- Zinc supplementation — the commonest cause of a high level.
- Excess zinc over time — can interfere with copper absorption and cause copper deficiency (with anaemia and nerve problems).
- Contamination of the sample — can falsely raise it.
What a low value can mean
- True zinc deficiency — poor diet, alcohol excess, malabsorption (coeliac, IBD), or increased losses; causes infections, taste loss, hair loss, skin rash, poor healing.
- Low albumin or acute illness/inflammation — can lower blood zinc without genuine deficiency (interpret with albumin and CRP).
- Pregnancy — levels tend to fall.
When to discuss with a doctor
Zinc is worth checking when there are suggestive features — recurrent infections, loss of taste or smell, hair loss, a characteristic rash, or poor wound healing — especially in someone at risk (poor diet, alcohol excess, malabsorption). Because the blood level is imperfect, it is interpreted with albumin and inflammatory markers, and often the response to a trial of replacement is telling. If deficiency is confirmed, the cause (particularly malabsorption) is worth identifying. On the other side, remember that high-dose zinc supplements can cause copper deficiency. Mediora.AI shows zinc alongside albumin and related markers so the level is read in context; the interpretation and any supplementation belong with your doctor.