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Choose collection locationVitamins & Minerals · Individual laboratory test
Zinc
Zinc is involved in growth, wound healing and taste. Serum zinc may help assess suspected deficiency when considered alongside diet and health history.
Price for this test on its ownAED 185Test price AED 85
Clinical authorDr Nirupama SabhapathySpecialist Clinical Pathology
- Sample
- Serum
- Laboratory turnaround
- 24 hours
- Collection
- Dubai
- Laboratory
- Intel Lab
Understanding the test
What does the Zinc test measure?
Also called Serum Zinc
A clinician may consider zinc measurement when symptoms occur in the context of low intake, poor absorption or prolonged supplementation. The full dietary history matters.
When it may be requested
Investigating possible deficiency
Serum zinc may be useful when dietary, absorption or clinical concerns suggest low zinc status.
Interpreting a change
Timing, recent intake and inflammatory illness can influence the measured level.
Before your sample
Prepare for collection
SpecimenSerum
Your checklist
Arrange the fasting morning sample requested by the laboratory. Record recent zinc supplements and illness. Ask the clinician about prescribed products before making any change.
A clinician takes a small sample of blood from a vein. The laboratory uses serum, the liquid separated from the blood after it clots.
Smart Report
Understanding your result
24 hoursLaboratory turnaround
Result guideZinc
Reading your result
A low serum concentration is a clue rather than a direct measure of every tissue store. Timing, inflammation and recent illness can influence it.
What can affect it
- Serum zinc is an imperfect reflection of total body zinc and should be read in clinical context.
From sample to follow-up
Your testing journey
Laboratory testZinc
- Specimen
- Serum
- Turnaround
- 24 hours
Open your laboratory report
Look for Zinc in your report. Use the sample type and collection time when comparing it with an earlier report.
Explore Smart Report
Discuss the next step
Share the collection time, any recent infection and zinc-containing products before interpreting the serum concentration as a dietary deficiency.
Health packages
Packages that include this test
Compare the other tests in each package before choosing.
Clinical expertise
Your laboratory team
Patient questions
Before you book
Could a recent illness affect a zinc measurement?
Yes. Circulating zinc changes during illness and with the timing of collection. A clinician should interpret it with symptoms and recent supplement use.
Why does the sample need to be taken fasting in the morning?
Serum zinc has a daily rhythm and drops for a period after a meal, so an afternoon or post-meal sample can read lower than a morning one for reasons that have nothing to do with your nutrition. Standardising the timing makes repeat results comparable.
What does a high zinc result mean?
A high result usually comes from a zinc supplement, lozenge or multivitamin taken shortly before the draw. It can also be caused by contamination from a zinc-containing skin product such as sunscreen or calamine, or by red cells breaking during collection. Occupational exposure, such as welding fumes, is a less common cause. An unexpectedly high value is often repeated.
Should I increase my zinc supplement if my result is low?
A low serum result after an illness may not mean your usual intake is low. Review the dose in all your supplements with your clinician first. Taking high doses of zinc for weeks can reduce copper absorption and create a second deficiency.
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Your next step
Zinc test at home.
Sources & further reading
Written by Dr Nirupama Sabhapathy, Specialist Clinical Pathology. Medically reviewed by Dr Joyce Jose, Specialist Clinical Pathology, on .
Catalogue information and AED price checked on 2 November 2026. Clinical suitability, preparation, collection arrangements and turnaround are confirmed for your selected test.