Zinc deficiency - any experiences?

[paddymayday]

Just wondering if anyone has any experience of this in their child?
DD (4) was diagnosed as being zinc deficient by the dietician (consultant didn't pick it up!). She was constantly sick and not healing and it was found to be low zinc.
Since then she has been on zinc supplements and her levels remained within normal ranges and she has remained well.
After being advised to come off the supplements (she was on them for approx 18mths) her levels have dropped again. Not massively but just under normal ranges.
I want to know why she can't absorb zinc but the consultant doesn't seem interested.
Does anyone have any stories they could share/advice they can give?

Many thanks

Hi
That's puzzling isn't it.
Would you give an idea of typical diet for your DD? Including drinks too. There are certain things which can influence zinc absorption.
Also, after the supplementation, were other nutrient levels checked such as iron and copper? The proteins which transport the zinc also transport these so these can be affected.

Thanks for your reply. She has been under a dietician and they have been happy with her diet. She eats everything. Her diet is varied, but in general everyday she has cereals/toast, and two hot meals consisting of meat, potatoes and veg. Although potatoes are not her favourite. She also eats a lot of fruit.
They did check her iron levels too which were found to be just below normal so she was on an iron supplement too. Although this time round they only checked her zinc and not her iron.
As I said the consultant doesn't seem interested as to why she can't seem to absorb the zinc properly. I know how important zinc is so I want to make sure she is getting enough. I had to push him to check her zinc levels this time around and just as well I did. Mind you I did the feel like the meanest mum putting my daughter through yet another blood test as this hospital is AWFUL with paeds bloods. Slab of meat springs to mind :-(
Any help anyone can give would be very much appreciated.

Ohh and drinks ....sorry forgot that.

She drinks water mostly but often a small cup of juice (Apple/orange) with breakfast. Sometimes she has very diluted squash too.

Well so much for the doctor telling me this was relatively common! Considering the amount of lovely people that use MN I would have thought there would be someone that had experience of this. Really starting to get the feeling I am being fobbed off by the consultant! Grrrrr

I have no experience of this. Sounds like you do need to ask this consultant a lot more questions. Do they even know for sure her symptoms were due to low zinc or has it been suggested as a possibility?

I do know that pumpkin and sesame seeds, almonds, tofu and green leafy veg is rich in zinc.
You could make some lovely biscuits with the first 3 ground up in them..

How much is she drinking? I'm deficient, always take the supplements but don't need to take so often if I drink a LOT less water.