Zinc supplementation does not result in a reduced serum copper in dermatology patients

Abstract Zinc is an essential electrolyte required for normal growth and development. Zinc supplementation has also shown to improve neutrophilic dermatoses such as sterile pustular disorders, due to the reduction of phagocytic function which modulates inflammatory proteins. However, there have been case reports of zinc supplementation resulting in hypocupraemia, due to competition of the divalent metal transporter in the gastrointestinal system that absorbs both zinc and copper. There are no existing guidelines recommending monitoring serum copper whilst supplementing with zinc in dermatology practice. Serum levels of both zinc and copper were taken on a cohort of dermatology patients on zinc supplementation. Results from 23 patients found that no patients displayed low serum copper due to zinc supplementation. The duration of supplementation ranged from 3 months to 20+ years. Zinc supplementation may cause hypocupraemia, but this was not demonstrated in a dermatology cohort, suggesting that frequent monitoring of copper may be unnecessary.