This test measures the amount of zinc in the blood (or sometimes 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…This test measures the amount of zinc in the blood (or sometimes 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 a2-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. See MoreSee Less
