Zinc (Zinc, TPN, Acrodermatitis, Enteropathica)
| Category | Biochemistry Biochemistry >> Trace elements | ||||||||||||||||
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| Test background |
Zinc is an essential trace element, stored mainly in muscle. Approximately 80 % of circulating zinc is present in the red cells. Zinc is a component of many enzymes, required for transcription factors, antioxidant function, immune system, respiration and neurological function, and is crucial for normal growth and maturation. |
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| Clinical Indications |
Suspected deficiency: symptoms include mouth ulcers, a characteristic rash, alopecia, abdominal pain and diarrhoea, with depression and lethargy; classically seen in a high phytate diet. There is increased risk of zinc deficiency in elderly, alcoholic, critically ill patients, burns, excessive/prolonged gastrointestinal losses and high phytate diets. Rare inborn errors e.g. acrodermatitis entropathica Monitoring of nutritional requirements for patients receiving parenteral nutrition or after bariatric surgery |
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| Reference range | Female
Male
Urine <1.1 µmol/mmol creatinine |
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| Sample & container required | Serum: Trace element free (royal blue top). Standard blood tubes are often contaminated with zinc and are not acceptable.Urine: Sterile universal 24 hour collection | ||||||||||||||||
| Sample volume | 0.5 mL | ||||||||||||||||
| Transport storage | Stable at 2-8oC. Sample can be sent by first class post. | ||||||||||||||||
| Turnaround time | 1 week | ||||||||||||||||
| Notes | Haemolysed samples are unsuitable for this assay. |