Zinc
- Description
- Zinc by ICP-MS
- Clinical details
- Zinc (Zn) 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
Serum/plasma 11-19 µmol/L,
Urine (24 hour) 4.5 – 9.0 µmol/24hr,
Urine (Random) 0.19-1.3 µmol/mmol creatinine
- Units
- µmol/L
- Testing site
- Synnovis : Reference Services : King's College Hospital
- Laboratory
- Trace Elements
- Sample type and volume required
- 1ml plasma/serum from Trace element free (royal blue top tube). 20 ml urine (Portion of 24 hour collection [acid-washed bottle] in sterile universal, record total volume on sample tube or request form). Random urine collection in 25ml Sterilin Universal containers
- Call in advance
- No
- Special sample instructions
Separate serum/plasma as soon as possible after collection.
Transfer to metal-free aliquot tube. Do not transfer serum/plasma in tube with black O-ring
- Storage and transport
- Stable at 4°C. Send by overnight first class post.
- Turnaround time
- 7 working days for serum/plasma. 10 working days for urine.
- Contacts
Toxicology Department at King’s Hospital
Phone: 020 3299 5881
Email: kch-tr.toxicology@nhs.net
King’s College Hospital
Bessemer Wing – 3rd Floor
Denmark Hill
London SE5 9RSTrace Elements Laboratory at King’s College Hospital
Phone: 020 3299 3008
Email: kishor.raja@nhs.net
King’s College Hospital
Bessemer Wing – Top Floor
Denmark Hill
London SE5 9RS