Zinc

ToxicologyAlso known as: ZnAlso known as: Serum zincmcg/dL

Measures zinc concentration in nail tissue to assess nutritional status.

Normal Range
100 – 250 ug/g
ug/g
Abnormal Levels
< 60 mcg/dL
> 130 mcg/dL
Specimen Type
Blood

Why This Biomarker Matters

Nail zinc levels may reflect long-term nutritional adequacy. While not standard clinical practice, abnormal levels could suggest zinc deficiency affecting immunity and wound healing.

Understanding Your Results

Normal Range

100 – 250 ug/g

Optimal Ranges

Clinician-defined 4-point reference thresholds (mcg/dL)

Default Range

60
77.5
95
130
Low
60 mcg/dL
Borderline Low
77.5 mcg/dL
Optimal
95 mcg/dL
Borderline High
130 mcg/dL

Overview

This test measures zinc concentration in nail samples to assess long-term zinc nutritional status and exposure. Zinc is essential for immune function, wound healing, protein synthesis, and DNA production. Hair and nail analysis for minerals is promoted in some wellness contexts, though clinical validation is limited. Zinc deficiency can cause slow wound healing, hair loss, and immune problems, while excess zinc can interfere with copper absorption.

Research & Evidence

192 publications

Sort:
Zinc transporters and cardiac pathophysiology.
Free Radic Biol Med · 2026
PMID: 41720360

Research data from MEDLINE/PubMed · 192 articles

Technical Information (LOINC Codes)

Standardized laboratory codes for this biomarker

5763-8Primary
Zinc [Mass/volume] in Serum or Plasma
ug/mL
25557-0
Zinc [Moles/volume] in Red Blood Cells
umol/L
29245-8
Zinc [Mass/mass] in Nail
ug/g
13652-3
Zinc [Mass/mass] in Hair
ug/g
5764-6
Zinc [Mass/volume] in Urine
ug/dL
10918-1
Zinc [Mass/volume] in Specimen
ug/dL
27106-4
Zinc [Presence] in Blood
14955-9
Zinc [Moles/volume] in Serum or Plasma
umol/L
27125-4
Zinc [Mass/mass] in Red Blood Cells
ug/g{Hb}
21610-1
Zinc [Mass/volume] in 24 hour Urine
ug/dL
8245-3
Zinc [Mass/volume] in Blood
ug/mL
30930-2
Zinc [Mass/volume] in Urine collected for unspecified duration
ug/L
5765-3
Zinc [Mass/time] in 24 hour Urine
ug/(24.h)
5761-2
Zinc [Mass/volume] in Red Blood Cells
ug/dL
48431-1
Zinc [Molar amount] in unspecified time Semen
umol/{ejaculate}
50939-8
Zinc [Moles/mass] in Hair
umol/g
52910-7
Zinc [Moles/mass] in Tissue
umol/g
5760-4
Zinc [Mass/volume] in Dialysis fluid
ug/dL
5762-0
Zinc [Mass/volume] in Semen
ug/dL
58037-3
Zinc [Mass/volume] in Cerebral spinal fluid
ug/dL
87446-1
Zinc [Mass/mass] in Specimen
ug/g
10633-6
Zinc [Moles/volume] in Semen
umol/L
9487-0
Zinc [Mass/volume] in Water
[ppm]
10917-3
Zinc [Mass/mass] in Stool
ug/g
11028-8
Zinc [Mass/volume] in Body fluid
ug/L
16180-2
Zinc [Mass/mass] in Tissue
ug/g
17778-2
Zinc [Mass/volume] in Leukocytes
ug/dL
18260-0
Zinc [Presence] in Tissue
22689-4
Zinc [Moles/time] in 24 hour Urine
umol/(24.h)
32348-5
Zinc [Moles/volume] in Cerebral spinal fluid
umol/L
34387-1
Zinc [Moles/volume] in Urine
nmol/L
34388-9
Zinc [Moles/volume] in 24 hour Urine
mmol/L
40937-5
Zinc [Presence] in Serum or Plasma
40947-4
Zinc [Presence] in Hair
40957-3
Zinc [Presence] in Urine
43973-7
Zinc [Moles/volume] in Specimen
umol/L

Available Lab Tests

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