Decreased zinc

Zinc concentration below the reference range (60 - 120 µg/dL or 10 - 20 µmol/L).

Possible causes:

• Poor diet: lack of meat/seafood or excess phytates/oxalates found in beans, plants and whole grains that block zinc absorption

• GI disorders: Crohn´s disease, celiac disease, short bowel syndrome, pancreatic insufficiency

• Heart failure

• Diabetes mellitus

• Liver disease

• Sickle cell disease

• Kidney disease

• HIV infection

• Medications: diuretics, penicilline, valproate, angiotensin receptor blockers

• Alcohol abuse

• Excessive losses: burns, hemodialysis, hemolysis, diarrhea, urinary loss

• Increased demand: pregnancy, breastfeeding, or rapid growth phases in children