Zinc, Serum or Plasma
Use
Monitor exposure to zinc; evaluate suspected nutritional inadequacy, especially in enteral or parental nutrition, critically ill or burn patients; cases of diabetes or delayed wound healing; growth retardation; follow therapy, for example when higher intravenous zinc doses are used to balance excessive ongoing GI losses in long-term total parenteral nutrition; follow oral zinc therapy in Wilson's disease; confirm acrodermatitis enteropathica and follow therapy
Special Instructions
Chronic oral zinc supplementation can interfere with the absorption of copper, potentially leading to copper deficiency. Since albumin is the primary zinc-binding protein, zinc levels should be interpreted in correlation with serum albumin levels.
Limitations
Zinc levels can be low during fever, sepsis, estrogen therapy, stress, or myocardial infarction due to mobilization from serum to the liver by interleukin. In uremia, levels might be low despite normal tissue levels. Familial hyperzincemia may result in high levels without causing toxicity or indicating high zinc stores.
Methodology
Mass Spectrometry
Biomarkers
LOINC Codes
- 5763-8
- 5763-8
Result Turnaround Time
2-4 days
Related Documents
For more information, please review the documents below
Specimen
Plasma
Volume
1 mL
Minimum Volume
0.4 mL
Container
Royal blue-top (EDTA) tube or royal blue-top tube without EDTA
Collection Instructions
Separate serum from cells within 45 minutes of collection and transfer to a certified metal-free transport tube for shipment to the laboratory. Plasma may be separated immediately and transferred to a certified metal-free plastic transport tube for shipment to the laboratory.
Storage Instructions
Maintain specimen at room temperature.
Causes for Rejection
Certified metal-free plastic transport tube not submitted; unspun royal blue-top tube from which the plasma or serum has not been removed; gel-barrier tube
Stability Requirements
| Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
| Room Temperature | 28 days |
| Refrigerated | 28 days |
| Frozen | 28 days |