What it measures
The zinc in serum, the liquid part of blood once it has clotted. Most of the body's zinc sits in muscle and bone, so serum holds only a small share of it. It is the standard blood test for zinc.
Why people test it
- Checked by people on vegan or vegetarian diets, where zinc intake and absorption can be lower.
- Measured when the gut absorbs poorly, as in coeliac disease or Crohn's disease.
- Checked by people taking zinc for a long time, as high zinc intake lowers how much copper is absorbed.
Typical range
Ranges vary by lab, method, age and sex, and your report shows the lab's own range. Serum zinc also falls during illness or inflammation.
Finger-prick or vein?
Usually taken from a vein into a tube made for trace-element tests, as ordinary tubes and the skin can add zinc to the sample. Providers offer it as a vein draw.
Zinc changes through the day and drops after eating, so some labs ask for a morning sample before breakfast.
· 90 tablets · 90 servings · 50 mg a serving