Zinc is a nutrient that we need to stay healthy. Zinc is found in cells throughout the body. It helps the immune system fight off invading bacteria and viruses. The body also needs zinc to make proteins and DNA. During pregnancy, infancy, and childhood the body needs zinc to grow and develop properly. Zinc also helps wounds to heal and is important for proper senses of taste and smell. Zinc blood tests are primarily ordered to help detect iron deficiency in children and to detect and monitor chronic exposure to lead in adults, as zinc is involved in the chemical process by which our body carries iron via red blood cells. Signs and symptoms of lead poisoning include:
- High blood pressure
- Numbness / tingling in the hands and feet
- Memory loss, mood disorders
- Weakness
- Abdominal pain
- Headache
For this reason, it is also common to assess zinc levels when iron deficiency is suspected, symptoms include:
- Chronic fatigue, tiredness
- Dizziness
- Weakness
- Headaches
- Pica (cravings for specific substances like chalk, dirt, or clay)
- A burning sensation on the tongue or a smooth tongue
- Sores at the corners of the mouth
- Spoon-shaped fingernails and toenails
Zinc (plasma)
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