Clinical Indications

Zinc may be lost following operations or severe infection and upon recovery, acute zinc deficiency may be precipitated. Inadequate supplementation of zinc in patients on TPN may occur and zinc levels should be assessed according to local guidelines. Symptoms of zinc deficiency include characteristic rash, abdominal pain and diarrhoea with depression and lethargy.
Zinc deficiency may occur in premature infants prior to weaning and in a rare inherited disorder of zinc absorption (acrodermatitis enteropathica). 

Request Form 

Combined Pathology Blood form (Yellow/Black or Blue for GP's)

Availability

Analysed by referral laboratory if specific criteria met.

Specific Criteria

Assessment of zinc status in patients on TPN
Investigation of zinc deficiency in symptomatic patients

Turnaround Time

2 Weeks

Specimen

Serum

Volume

2 ml.

Container

Red or pink top (plain) tube. Yellow top (SST) tubes must not be used.

Collection

Sample should be transported to laboratory as soon as possible.

Lab. Handling

Samples should be separated promptly (within 4 hours). Aliquot and store at 4C. Samples should be sent by first class post. (ZN & send; NOZN & save (NOZN2 code unsuitable sample))

Causes for Rejection

Haemolysis. Unlabelled sample. Delay in sample reaching laboratory.

Reference Range

Normal levels 11 - 20 umol/L. There is diurnal variation with peak levels at 10.00 am. Zinc levels fall during acute phase response, but levels below 8 umol/L usually indicate deficiency even in presence of acute phase response.