Zinc
A trace mineral essential for immunity, wound healing, taste, hormone production and hundreds of enzymes.
| Typical reference range | 60–130 ug/dL |
Ranges vary by laboratory, method, age and sex: always use the range printed on your own report. Why labs differ.
What it measures
Zinc is a cofactor for over 300 enzymes and important for immune function, protein synthesis, testosterone production, skin health and taste. Most is stored in muscle and bone; plasma contains less than 1%.
Why it matters
Zinc deficiency impairs immunity, wound healing, taste and smell, skin integrity and reproductive hormones. Excess zinc from supplements can induce copper deficiency.
What a high result can mean
High levels usually reflect supplementation or sample contamination; long-term high zinc intake (above ~40 mg/day) can cause copper deficiency and anemia.
What a low result can mean
Low levels occur with low intake (vegetarian diets high in phytates), malabsorption, alcohol use, chronic diarrhea, diabetes, kidney disease, inflammation (zinc shifts into the liver) and some diuretics.
What affects the result
Requires a special trace-element-free (royal blue) tube to avoid contamination. Zinc falls after meals and during inflammation and has a daily rhythm; fasting morning samples are best. Interpret with copper and albumin.
Units and conversion
Usually reported in ug/dL.
- From umol/L: multiply by 6.54 to get ug/dL
- From ug/L: multiply by 0.1 to get ug/dL
- From mg/L: multiply by 100 to get ug/dL
Also called on lab reports
Zinc, Plasma, Zinc, Serum, Zn, Zinc, RBC
Related tests: Vitamins & Nutrients
This page is educational and does not replace advice from a healthcare professional.