Zinc — Immune + Hormone Cofactor
Zinc is a trace mineral cofactor for immune response, testosterone synthesis, and wound healing. Serum levels below 60 µg/dL indicate clinically significant deficiency — common in older adults, vegans, and heavy exercisers.
Zinc is an essential trace mineral cofactor for immune response, testosterone synthesis, and wound healing — serum levels below 60 µg/dL indicate clinically significant deficiency requiring dietary correction or supplementation under clinician guidance.
The biomarker
- Name: Serum Zinc
- Units: µg/dL
- Standard reference range: 60–130 µg/dL
- Optimal range: 90–130 µg/dL
How to read your result
| Value | Interpretation |
|---|---|
| < 60 µg/dL | Deficient — dietary correction plus supervised supplementation; retest in 8–12 weeks |
| 60–90 µg/dL | Low-normal — investigate dietary intake; prioritise whole-food sources before supplementing |
| 90–130 µg/dL | Optimal — adequate status for immune and hormonal function |
| ≥ 150 µg/dL | High — review supplementation; excess zinc can deplete copper and impair immune function |
What moves the needle
- Diet — animal sources. Oysters are by far the richest source. Beef, lamb, and dark-meat poultry provide meaningful amounts with high bioavailability.
- Diet — plant sources. Pumpkin seeds, lentils, chickpeas, and cashews contain zinc but also phytates that reduce absorption. Soaking or sprouting legumes improves bioavailability.
- Supplementation. Zinc bisglycinate and zinc gluconate are well-absorbed forms. Take with food to reduce nausea. The specific dose appropriate for deficiency correction should be confirmed with a clinician — self-dosing above maintenance levels carries risks.
- Copper balance. Long-term zinc supplementation (especially high doses) depletes copper — a parallel mineral required for connective tissue and iron metabolism. If supplementing zinc, periodic copper testing is prudent.
Why this test is worth asking for
- Zinc deficiency is underdiagnosed — it presents as poor wound healing, frequent infections, reduced taste/smell, and low testosterone, all of which are often attributed to ageing rather than a correctable deficiency.
- Populations at elevated risk include older adults (reduced absorption), vegetarians and vegans (phytate burden), and people who exercise intensively (sweat losses).
- Zinc directly supports thymulin, a thymic hormone critical for T-cell maturation — suboptimal zinc impairs immune resilience even at levels that do not meet the clinical deficiency threshold.
- Serum zinc is a straightforward add to any metabolic panel and gives actionable information with a short correction timeline (8–12 weeks retest).
Related protocols
- TSH, Free T3 and T4 — Thyroid Panel
- Testosterone, Total and Free (Men)
- SHBG — Sex Hormone Binding Globulin
Sources
AgeGen lab guides are educational only. We do not provide medical diagnosis, prescribe brands, or recommend specific doses. Talk to a licensed clinician before changing your supplement or medication routine.
