What It Measures
This test measures the concentration of zinc in your blood serum or plasma. It reflects your body's available zinc levels, though it can be influenced by recent meals, time of day, infections, and inflammation. Since only about 0.1% of total body zinc circulates in the blood, serum levels are an imperfect but clinically useful marker of zinc status.
Zinc is an essential trace mineral involved in over 300 enzymatic reactions, including immune function, protein synthesis, wound healing, DNA synthesis, and cell division. Serum zinc testing evaluates the body's zinc status, which is critical for immune defense, hormonal balance, and cellular metabolism. Deficiency is common worldwide and associated with impaired immunity, poor wound healing, and hormonal dysfunction.
Current Value
What High Means
Elevated serum zinc is uncommon and typically results from excessive supplementation or occupational exposure. Zinc toxicity can impair copper absorption (leading to copper deficiency and associated anemia/neutropenia), suppress immune function paradoxically, cause gastrointestinal distress, and interfere with iron metabolism. Chronic high zinc intake (>40 mg/day) can lower HDL cholesterol and impair immune response.
Possible Symptoms
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, headaches, reduced immune function, copper deficiency symptoms (anemia, neutropenia, neurological issues), lowered HDL cholesterol, metallic taste in mouth.
What Low Means
Low serum zinc indicates zinc deficiency or insufficiency, which is associated with impaired immune function (increased susceptibility to infections), delayed wound healing, hair loss, skin lesions, loss of taste and smell, hypogonadism in men, growth retardation in children, increased inflammation, poor cognitive function, and mood disturbances including depression. Low zinc is common in vegetarians/vegans, those with GI disorders, chronic alcohol use, and the elderly.
Possible Symptoms
Frequent infections, slow wound healing, hair loss, skin rashes/dermatitis, loss of taste or smell, diarrhea, poor appetite, brain fog, depression, low testosterone/libido in men, night blindness, white spots on fingernails, fatigue.
Risk Factors
Zinc deficiency is a risk factor for: impaired immune function, frequent infections, poor wound healing, chronic inflammation, hypogonadism and low testosterone in men, fertility issues, depression and mood disorders, cognitive decline, macular degeneration, type 2 diabetes complications, and cardiovascular disease. Excess zinc can cause copper deficiency, anemia, and immune suppression.
Actionable Advice
Supplements
- •Zinc Picolinate
- •Zinc Bisglycinate
- •Zinc Citrate
- •Zinc Carnosine
- •Zinc Acetate
- •Copper (to maintain Zn:Cu ratio)
- •Vitamin B6 (supports zinc absorption)
- •Vitamin A (works synergistically with zinc)
Diet & Lifestyle
- •Eat zinc-rich foods: oysters, beef, lamb, pumpkin seeds, chickpeas, cashews, and eggs
- •If supplementing, take zinc with food to reduce nausea and improve absorption
- •Avoid taking zinc supplements with calcium, iron, or high-phytate meals as they compete for absorption
- •Supplement copper (1-2 mg) when taking >30 mg zinc daily to prevent copper depletion
- •Soak, sprout, or ferment grains and legumes to reduce phytate content and improve zinc bioavailability
- •Limit alcohol consumption as it impairs zinc absorption and increases urinary zinc excretion
- •Test zinc levels fasting in the morning for most consistent results
- •Consider zinc supplementation during periods of high stress, illness, or intense exercise
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Historical Trend
Related Biomarkers
Resources & Studies
All Readings
| Date | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-28 | 84 mcg/dL | 0.0 |
| 2025-08-25 | 84 mcg/dL | — |