Skip to main content

Zinc Deficiency

Parvathi Perumareddi, DO Reviewed 05/2023
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Usually occurs as a result of nutritional deficiency or suboptimal absorption (1,2)

  • Manifestations may involve growth retardation, decreased bone mineralization, hypogonadism, cell-m...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • Mild deficiency

    • Hypogeusia (decreased taste)

    • Dysosmia (altered smell sensation)

    • Decreased adaptation to dark

    • Oligospermia

    • Decreased serum testosterone level

    • Decreased lean body mass

    • Hyperamm...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

Dietary diversification: increased animal proteins in diet, decreased phytates; diet fortification 

MEDICATION

  • Zinc supplements: Take at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after me...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

Full activity 

Patient Monitoring

  • In patients receiving parenteral nutrition, obtain zinc at baseline and every 2 to 4 weeks. If dose is changed, measure 1 to 2 wee...

REFERENCES

1
Prasad  AS. Discovery of human zinc deficiency: its impact on human health and disease. Adv Nutr.  2013;4(2):176–190. [View Abstract on OvidMedline] ...

ADDITIONAL READING

Wieringa  FT, Dijkhuizen  MA, Fiorentino  M, et al. Determination of zinc status in humans: which indicator should we use? Nutrients.  2...

SEE ALSO

Alcohol Abuse and Dependence; Anemia, Sickle Cell; Failure to Thrive 

CODES

ICD10

  • E60 Dietary zinc deficiency

  • E83.2 Disorders of zinc metabolism

SNOMED

  • 190661004 Dietary zinc deficiency

  • 238124008 Zinc deficiency

  • 16917007 Acute zinc deficiency

  • 73281004 Chronic zinc deficiency

  • 40...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Zinc deficiency is uncommon in the United States; however, it has a higher incidence in those living in developing countries.

  • Zinc deficiency is not detectable until there is marked dep...

Subscribe to Access Full Content

Sign Up for a 10-Day Free Trial

Sign up for a 10-day FREE Trial now and receive full access to all content.

 
×