Trace Element: Zinc (SAAS)
Biochemistry Overview / Directory
Purpose of the test
Zinc is an essential trace element required for normal growth and maturation, as it is a component of many enzymes and protein structures. Most circulating zinc (80%) is present in the red cells. A similar proportion of plasma zinc is albumin bound, the remainder being bound to alpha-2-macroglobulin, although a small percentage is present as amino acid complexes.
Acute zinc deficiency may occur during catabolic processes (following surgery, infections etc.) or TPN with inadequate supplementation; the symptoms including a characteristic rash, abdominal pain and diarrhoea with depression and lethargy. Zinc deficiency may be associated with poor wound healing. Acrodermatitis enteropathica is a rare, autosomal recessive, inherited defect of zinc absorption, which presents with similar symptoms shortly after weaning. Zinc supplementation can result in copper deficiency and vice versa.
Plasma/serum zinc is the simplest means of assessing zinc status, but concentrations may be affected by diet (fasting leads to an increase), diurnal variation (peak around 10:00h), albumin concentrations, acute phase response (increased copper, decreased zinc), steroid therapy and pregnancy (decrease).
Reference Range
The reference range for serum zinc is 11-19 µmol/L.
Sample Requirements
Serum (1 mL).
Storage and Transport
Stable at 4°C. Send by overnight first class post.
PDF Request Form
Download Trace Element: Zinc (SAAS) Request Form
Turnaround Time
1-2 weeks.
Price
Price available on application - please contact adrianturner1@nhs.net. Discounts could be available for significant workloads.
Contacts
Dr Kishor Raja
T: 020 3299 4127
