Zinc · low result
What does a low Zinc mean?
Short answer
Low zinc is most often a dietary or absorption problem — vegetarian and vegan diets, low protein intake, alcohol use, inflammatory bowel disease, bariatric surgery, chronic diarrhea, liver or kidney disease — and drops transiently during any acute illness because zinc shifts into tissues. It shows up as slow wound healing, hair loss, taste changes and frequent infections.
Medically reviewed by Youmna DiStefano, MD · Last reviewed September 2026
What is the normal range for Zinc?
- age 18+: 60.0 – 130 mcg/dL
Can reflect inadequate intake (vegetarian diets), malabsorption, or chronic illness.
Full reference table, citations and testing options: Zinc biomarker page.
What are the common causes of low Zinc?
- Low intake: vegetarian/vegan or low-protein diets, restricted eating
- Malabsorption: inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, bariatric surgery
- Alcohol use disorder, liver disease, kidney disease
- Acute infection or inflammation (temporary shift out of the blood)
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding, diuretics, high-dose iron supplements
What symptoms go with low Zinc?
- Slow wound healing, frequent infections
- Hair shedding, brittle nails, skin rash around the mouth
- Reduced sense of taste or smell, poor appetite
What do clinicians usually check next?
- Repeat when well — infection lowers serum zinc without deficiency
- Albumin and CRP (zinc is protein-bound and drops with inflammation)
- Copper if supplementing zinc long-term (zinc lowers copper)
Follow-up tests available at TestWell: C-Reactive Protein (CRP) ($26.99), Copper ($31.99).
How do you recheck Zinc?
Prices are cash-pay; every order adds one $6 lab processing fee. Physician authorization is included; no insurance or referral needed.
| Test or panel | Type | Price | Fasting | Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vitamin & Mineral Deficiency Panel | Panel · 9 tests | $189.99 | No | 3–5 business days |
| Men's Hair Health Panel | Panel · 19 tests | $499.99 | No | 4–7 business days |
| Women's Hair Health Panel | Panel · 19 tests | $469.99 | No | 4–7 business days |
| Zinc | Test | $26.99 | Yes | 3–6 business days |
Common questions
Is serum zinc a reliable test?
It's the standard but imperfect: it falls with infection and low albumin and varies with meals. A fasting morning draw when you're well is the most interpretable.
Sources
Educational content, not a diagnosis. Lab results are one input; a clinician interprets them with your history and exam.