After reading JN’s thread I had a look at Zinc deficiency symptoms - many of which I’m suffering from. Also, my albumin is very high which I believe can also indicate low zinc.
Here’s an extensive list of symptoms:
Key:
•Cu
Probably caused by a copper excess induced by Zinc deficiency (Copper accumulates in the body in the absence of Zinc)
•B6
Probably caused by a Vitamin B6 deficiency induced by Zinc deficiency (Zinc is required for the activation of Vitamin B6)
•A
Probably caused by a Vitamin A deficiency induced by Zinc deficiency (Zinc is necessary to release Vitamin A from the liver where it is stored)
•Cd
Probably caused by a cadium excess induced by Zinc deficiency (Cadium accumulates in the body in the absence of Zinc)
Common Symptoms
The individual may have a number of the following symptoms, however will not have all. The symptoms listed cover all ages from birth to old age.
•Fingernails
â—¦White spots on nails (Leukonychia)
â—¦Weak nails that peel easily (A)
â—¦Brittle nails (A)
â—¦Ultra-thin nails (can cause nail biting)
â—¦Horizontal ridges on nails (A)
â—¦Slow nail growth
•Hair Scalp
â—¦Slow hair growth
â—¦Brittle hair that breaks or splits easily
â—¦limp lank hair
â—¦absence of sheen and lustre (A)
â—¦Falling hair (Cu, B6)
â—¦Premature greying or reduced pigmentation
â—¦Dandruff (B6, A)
â—¦Dry scales on scalp (A)
â—¦Oily scales on scalp (and eyebrows, around nose and behind ears) (B6)
â—¦Long coarse eyebrow hair
â—¦Sparse beard, pubic and underarm hair
•Skin
â—¦Stretch marks (Striae)
â—¦Cracked skin behind ears
â—¦Small cracks (fissures) in skin on fingertips
â—¦Tiny blisters on side of fingers
â—¦Oily skin (seborrhoea) (B6)
â—¦Dry, itchy skin (A)
â—¦Rough skin on backs of arms or legs (A)
â—¦Red spots at base of hairs on front of thighs (glossy skin) (A)
â—¦Small bumps in skin of side and back of upper arm (A)
â—¦Acne (A)
â—¦Boils (A)
â—¦Warts (A)
â—¦Mouth ulcers (A)
â—¦Sore tongue and mouth (B6)
â—¦Cracks around mouth and split lips (B6)
â—¦Leg ulcers (together with poor circulation)
â—¦Dermatitis
â—¦Eczema (especially around mouth, eyes, nose, vagina, and on hands)
â—¦Psoriasis (A)
â—¦Itching in the sunlight
◦Inability to suntan (“china doll” appearance) (B6)
â—¦Easy sun burning (B6)
â—¦Brown melanin spots on skin of face and back of hands (together with Vitamin C deficiency)
â—¦Slow wound healing
â—¦Fruity body (sweat) odour
• Eyes
â—¦Poor night vision (Nyctalopia) (A)
â—¦Dry eyes (Xerophthalmia) (A)
â—¦Burning and itchy eyes (A)
â—¦Bloodshot eyes
â—¦Aching or tired eyes on close work or reading (A)
â—¦Eyestrain headache (A)
â—¦Inflamed eyelids (A)
â—¦Cracks around eyes (B6)
•Sex Reproduction
â—¦Underdeveloped sex organs (particularly small penis) (micro phallus)
â—¦Low sex drive
â—¦Impotence
â—¦Un-gratifying sex in males
â—¦Reduced fertility in both sexes
â—¦Prostatitis
â—¦Enlarged prostate gland in elderly
â—¦Delayed puberty and late onset of periods
â—¦Menstrual irregularities in teenagers
â—¦Premenstrual tension (B6)
â—¦Heavy menstrual bleeding (Menorrhagia) (A)
â—¦Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy (B6)
â—¦Small for dates babies
â—¦Miscarriages
â—¦Stillbirths
â—¦Early or late labour
â—¦Prolonged labour
â—¦Postnatal depression (Cu)
â—¦Difficulty sustaining lactation
â—¦Lack of maternal instincts
â—¦All girl families
â—¦Congenital defects in offspring (A)
â—¦Failure to thrive
â—¦Infections and allergic illness in offspring (e.g. diarrhoea, eczema)
• Childhood and Adolescence
â—¦"Growing pains" in muscles and joints (Cu)
â—¦Hyperactivity (Cu)
â—¦Autism
â—¦School phobia
â—¦Eating dirt and strange substances (pica)
â—¦Behavioural problems and learning disabilities (Cu)
â—¦Mental retardation
â—¦Delinquent and antisocial behaviour (Cu)
â—¦Reliance on narcotics (drug abuse)
â—¦Slow growth leading to small stature (A)
•Mental Symptoms
â—¦Anxiety
â—¦Tension and nervousness (Cu)
â—¦Insomnia (Cu, B6, A)
â—¦Sleepiness (B6)
â—¦Irritability (Cu, B6)
â—¦Aggression (Cu)
â—¦Depression (Cu, B6, A)
â—¦Tearfulness (Cu)
â—¦Reduced mental alertness
â—¦Inability to concentrate (Cu, B6)
â—¦Forgetfulness and amnesia
â—¦Apathy
â—¦Disperception
•Miscellaneous
â—¦Poor appetite
â—¦Anorexia Nervousa (Cu)
â—¦Craving for sweet foods (together with a vitamin B complex deficiency)
â—¦Poor sense of taste (Hypogeusia)
â—¦Sweet tooth
â—¦Poor sense of smell (Hyposmia) (A)
â—¦Poor dream recall (B6)
â—¦Nightmares (B6)
â—¦Susceptibility to infections and cancer through shrinkage of thymus
â—¦Infections of skin and mucous membranes (e.g. sinuses, lungs, bladder) (A)
â—¦Susceptibility of epithelial tissue to cancer (A)
â—¦Frequent colds (A)
â—¦Frequent cold sores
â—¦Cold hands and feet (poor circulation)
â—¦Hypothyroidism (low metabolic rate)
â—¦Fatigue and lack of energy (A)
â—¦Stuttering (Cu)
â—¦Tooth decay
â—¦Loss of bone from tooth socket and periodontal disease e.g. pyorrhoea (red and retracted gums), crowded overlapping upper incisors (narrow dental arch)
â—¦Fruity odour to breath
â—¦Slow reactions
â—¦Allergies
â—¦Nasal polyps
â—¦Swelling of nasal and sinus passageways (sometimes giving rise to a swollen face and nasal twang)
â—¦Swelling and closure of Eustachian tubes (gives rise to middle ear infections as prevents adequate drainage)
â—¦Neuralgia in arms and legs (A)
â—¦Tingling hands (B6)
â—¦Numbness or cramps in arms and legs (B6)
â—¦Carpal tunnel syndrome (B6)
â—¦Anaemia (B6)
â—¦Reactions to monosodium glutamate (Chinese restaurant syndrome) (B6)
â—¦Hypoglycaemia (B6)
â—¦Water retention (B6)
â—¦Nausea, especially in morning (B6)
â—¦Diarrhoea
â—¦Kidney stones (calcium phosphate type) (A)
â—¦Diabetes
â—¦Epilepsy
â—¦Emphysema (Cd)
â—¦High blood pressure (Cu, Cd)
â—¦Accelerated atherosclerosis (B6, Cd)
â—¦Joint pain (especially knee and hip)
â—¦Rheumatoid arthritis (Cu)
â—¦Menopausal arthritis (B6)
â—¦Peptic ulcers
â—¦Migraine (Cu)
â—¦Confusion in elderly and early senility (Cu)
â—¦Premature aging (Cu)
â—¦Psychosis/schizophrenia (Cu, B6)