Zinc deficiency: Signs and diagnosis

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Zinc is an essential mineral for fighting infections and producing cells. Zinc plays an important role in wound healing and in making DNA, the genetic blueprint in all cells. When zinc deficiency, the body may experience symptoms such as hair loss, lack of alertness and decreased taste and smell.

1. Symptoms of zinc deficiency

Zinc is used by your body for cell production and immune function. Although the understanding of zinc's role in the body is still incomplete today, we do know that zinc is an essential part of growth, development of sexual function and reproduction.
When you lack zinc, your body cannot make new healthy cells. This leads to symptoms like:
Unexplained weight loss Wounds that don't heal Lack of alertness Decreased sense of smell and taste Diarrhea Loss of appetite Open sores on the skin

2. Risk factors for zinc deficiency

If you're pregnant and have a zinc deficiency, your baby may not be getting enough of the nutrients he needs to thrive in the womb. And if you're trying to have children, zinc deficiency can be difficult as the condition can lead to impotence in men.
The subjects most at risk of zinc deficiency are breastfed children and the elderly. Pregnant women need more zinc than usual because zinc in the mother's body is essential to help the baby grow. Alcoholics are also at risk for zinc deficiency. Some studies show that alcohol makes it harder for your body to digest zinc.
The role of zinc is very important for pregnant women to maintain the health of both mother and baby during pregnancy. Breastfeeding women and babies when they reach the age of weaning also need to be noted to supplement the amount of zinc that the body needs. Babies who are still exclusively breastfed after the first 6 months without solid foods are at high risk of zinc deficiency.

3. Diagnosis of zinc deficiency

Zinc is distributed among the cells making it very difficult to detect zinc deficiency through a simple blood test.
If your doctor suspects zinc deficiency, your plasma should be tested for an accurate diagnosis. Other tests to identify zinc deficiency include a urine test and an analysis of a strand of your hair to measure zinc levels.
Sometimes zinc deficiency is a symptom of another condition. For example, zinc can still be obtained through diet, but your body does not absorb it well. Zinc deficiency can also lead to copper deficiency so additional testing is needed to find the source of the deficiency.

4. Zinc deficiency treatment

Treatment of long-term zinc deficiency with dietary changes is most effective. To start, consider eating more of the following zinc-rich foods:
Red Meat Poultry Seeds Wheat Germ Wild Rice Oysters If you are a vegetarian, you can eat more baked beans, cashews, beans Dutch and almonds - are alternative sources of zinc.
In addition, zinc is also found in multivitamin supplements. Zinc is also found in some cold medicines because zinc works well in case of a cold, although you should not take cold medicine if you are not sick. You should buy supplements that only contain zinc.
If you use dietary supplements to supplement your body with zinc, carefully consult your doctor. Zinc can interact with certain antibiotics, arthritis medications, and diuretics. Changing your diet to include foods rich in zinc is still the best way to treat zinc deficiency.

5. When do you need to see a doctor?

In most cases, zinc deficiency is not a medical emergency. However, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding and suspect a zinc deficiency, it is important to take a supplement right away because zinc is essential for the healthy development of your baby in the womb.
In case of zinc deficiency and diarrhea persists for several days, it is necessary to immediately go to the nearest medical facility for examination. Zinc is a mineral that helps your gut fight infections, and without it, your infection can become more serious.
Currently, Vinmec International General Hospital has general health checkup packages suitable for each age, gender and individual needs of customers with a reasonable price policy, including:
Health checkup package Diamond Health Checkup Package Vip General Health Checkup Package Special General Health Checkup Package Comprehensive General Health Checkup Package Standard General Health Checkup Package Patient's examination results will be returned to your home. After receiving the results of the general health examination, if any diseases are detected, they need to be examined and treated intensively.
If you have a need for consultation and examination at the Hospitals of the National Health System, please book an appointment on the website for the best service.
Source: healthline.com & who.int

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See more:
Role of zinc - Guidelines for reasonable zinc supplementation What disease does zinc deficiency cause? When to take a zinc supplement? What happens to the body if there is an excess of zinc?