Hair Loss
Low Zinc and High Copper
Hair loss can be quickly associated with a zinc deficiency. However, what it is missed in many cases is the implication that copper can have in hair loss and hair thinning.
Zinc is a very important mineral for optimal hair growth and hair quality. If you are experiencing hair loss, it is important to understand the severity of the potential deficiency. The best way to assess your body requirements for zinc is by doing a blood test analysing Plasma Zinc.
In Australian, the guidelines for assessing zinc in adults are as follows:
· Normal Range: 10.7 to 23.5 µmol/L
· Deficiency: Under 10.7 µmol/L
· Excess: 23.5 µmol/L
In my clinical experience reading patients’ blood pathology, I have only seen one case of zinc excess. However, zinc deficiency is something I see daily.
Even when a patient has a Plasma Zinc level close to the bottom end of the “NORMAL” reference range (10.7 µmol/L), it is very possible to still experience symptoms related with low zinc such as acne, thinning of the hair and recurrent infections.
The Missing Factor: Copper.
In many cases, symptoms of zinc deficiency can also be related with an imbalance between Zinc and Copper. These two minerals interact very closely in the body. They compete for absorption in the intestine and share transport mechanisms in the blood stream. This is why measuring both allows for a more holistic interpretation of mineral status and potential imbalances.
Plasma Copper should be assessed in the same blood test as Plasma Zinc. The Australian Guidelines to assess Copper status in adults are as follows:
· Normal Range: 12.6 to 24.4 µmol/L
· Deficiency: Under 12.6 µmol/L
· Excess: 24.4 µmol/L
As you can appreciate the guidelines for Zinc and Copper are very similar.
A very common scenario in practice is to see a high normal Plasma Copper, and low normal Plasma Zinc. This is an example:
Before Treatment: Copper and Zinc imbalanced
In the scenario above, the patient Zinc and Copper results were within the normal reference range. However, as I am sure you can appreciate the copper levels were overwhelming the zinc.
These results indicate the poor capacity of the patient to transport and use zinc around the body as most of the body transporters were being filled with copper. (Remember, they use the same transportation system).
For this reason, even though the patient didn’t have a “zinc deficiency”, she was experiencing hair thinning and poor recovery after infection. It is also worth mentioning she lost her sense of taste and smell in 2021.
SOLUTION / TREATMENT PLAN
For this patient we followed an intervention based on 25mg of zinc with breakfast, lunch and dinner (75mg of daily) to increase zinc levels.
While we boosted her Plasma Zinc, we were also treating the relative Copper imbalance / excess. Zinc and Copper compete for absorption in the gut, the more zinc you consume, the less capacity to absorb copper.
We repeated the blood test 8 weeks later and here are the results.
After Treatment: Copper and Zinc balanced. Close to one to one ratio
As you can appreciate her blood levels of these two minerals are much closer to the ideal ratio one to one.
The Bottom Line.
If you are suffering from hair loss or thinning of the hair you should get your Zinc & Copper checked in a blood test.
If you only have a zinc result and it is close to the bottom end of the reference range, you could have a relative zinc deficiency compared to a copper excess.
The ideal Zinc to Copper ratio is one to one.
If you find the problem too overwhelming and want some guidance, it is important to find a good health professional who is willing to ask all the right questions, helping you find the answers.
Book a 15 min free discovery call following this link to start working with me.