Zinc (Zinc, TPN, Acrodermatitis, Enteropathica)
Zinc is an essential trace element, stored mainly in muscle. Approximately 80 % of circulating zinc is present in the red cells. Zinc is a component of many enzymes, required for transcription factors, antioxidant function, immune system, respiration and neurological function, and is crucial for normal growth and maturation.
Suspected deficiency: symptoms include mouth ulcers, a characteristic rash, alopecia, abdominal pain and diarrhoea, with depression and lethargy; classically seen in a high phytate diet.
There is increased risk of zinc deficiency in elderly, alcoholic, critically ill patients, burns, excessive/prolonged gastrointestinal losses and high phytate diets.
Rare inborn errors e.g. acrodermatitis entropathica
Monitoring of nutritional requirements for patients receiving parenteral nutrition or after bariatric surgery
Female
| 0 – 6 months | 5.0 – 21.5 µmol/L |
| 6 months – 19 years | 9.8 – 19.0 µmol/L |
| 19 – 65 years | 9.6 – 20.5 µmol/L |
| > 65 years | 9.2 – 19.2 µmol/L |
Male
| 0 – 6 months | 5.0 – 21.5 µmol/L |
| 6 months – 19 years | 9.8 – 19.0 µmol/L |
| 19 – 65 years | 10.1 – 20.2 µmol/L |
| > 65 years | 8.0 – 20.0 µmol/L |
Urine
<1.1 µmol/mmol creatinine
<3.0 – 19.3 µmol/24hr
Haemolysed samples are unsuitable for this assay.
Record last updated
September 5, 2025
Sample Container
6ml Trace Metal Silica (Navy blue top with red band on label)
Sample Container
24hr Urine Bottle (Plain label)
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Test Results
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See the following UKAS ref numbers:
- Clinical Biochemistry Ref: 8673
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- Infection & Immunity Sciences (Including Immunology, Virology, Microbiology and Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics ) Ref: 8659
- Cellular Pathology (Including Histopathology, Cytology and Molecular Pathology) Ref: 9615
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Our laboratories are accredited by the UK Accreditation Service (UKAS) against the international standard ISO15189:2022. UKAS is the accreditation body for the UK that assesses medical laboratories.
Find out more about our accreditations on the UKAS website.
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