What's the maximum zinc dosage?

I take 2x100mg per day and was wondering what the maximum per dose should be. I take zinc away from my other vites for improved absorption. TIA

I haven't heard a maximum stated for self-supplementing with over-the-counter zinc. Normally, I'd say 100mg in 2 - 50mg doses away from the other vitamins. If you are a really tough case you might want to ask Vitalady or a dietician you trust. 

--gina

Bummer, my zinc levels were still dropping on 2x50mg away from other vites so I went up to 2x100mg. I was hoping to only take one batch per day. I definitely don't have enough hours in the day to do more than two batches as I do 6 of calcium, 2 zinc and 1 iron for a total of 9 batches.

Guess I'll just keep doing what I'm doing as the levels seem to be coming up slowly.

Sounds like a good plan.

9 batches per day....  

I'm working on this goal. 

Hey Huneypie!

I haven't been on in awhile...  Before my DS, I took 200 mg once a day of Zinc. 

Since my surgery, I had a hard time with Zinc.  I took the sublingal (which were fine).  I did not take it even alone until 3 mo ago.  My zinc levels are fine.  I don't want them to get "un ok".  My Hematologist said it was ok if I took what I took before surgery.

I started just a couple of weeks ago taking 1 - 200 mg capsule a day (the TwinLabs brand). I wait until 2 hrs after my morning vits to take it by itself.  I have been fine with it.

I am having new labs drawn tomorrow, so I will let you know.

 

 

Thanks, I look forward to hearing how you do.

I went to get my Labs drawn before work.  The "regular" lab tech is out on vacation.  The "fill in" couldn't find my orders.  The Dr wasn't in to create new ones.  Now, I have to wait until Thursday before my CRS Dr's appt.  Argh!  I was so ready today... LOL!  I have to mentally get ready for the 21 vials....

 

I found this article:  http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-982 -zinc.aspx?activeIngredientId=982&activeIngredientName=zinc

The article says to look for zinc gluconate supplements, as these have the lowest level of cadmium, too much of which can cause kidney failure.

I was wondering A) if we have to worry about that since we malabsorb anyway, and B) if we shouldn't look for zinc citrate instead because the citrate forms of vitamins are easier for us to absorb.  However, gluconic acid is water-soluable, so it's probably fine.

Also:

"Zinc is LIKELY SAFE for most adults when applied to the skin, or when taken by mouth in amounts not larger than 40 mg per day. Routine zinc supplementation is not recommended without the advice of a healthcare professional. In some people, zinc might cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, metallic taste, kidney and stomach damage, and other side effects. Using zinc on broken skin may cause burning, stinging, itching, and tingling.

"Taking high amounts of zinc is LIKELY UNSAFE. High doses above the recommended amounts might cause fever, coughing, stomach pain, fatigue, and many other problems.

"Taking more than 100 mg of supplemental zinc daily or taking supplemental zinc for 10 or more years doubles the risk of developing prostate cancer. There is also concern that taking large amounts of a multivitamin plus a separate zinc supplement increases the chance of dying from prostate cancer.

"Taking 450 mg or more of zinc daily can cause problems with blood iron. Single doses of 10-30 grams of zinc can be fatal."

I'm not sure how much of this affects us, again, because of the malabsorption component.  The iron thing is probably important to note.  Obviously women don't have to worry about prostate issues. :P

Vitalady does the chelated zinc and I'm happy to go with what she recommends.  She's spent far longer researching this than the majority of us.

I don't think we'll get the issues you mention if our labs are showing we're zinc deficient, which mine were.  We don't absorb all of the zinc we ingest and therefore those levels don't apply to us IMO.

I just went with the Vitalady pre-packaged vites (and dosage of 100mg/day) and then adjusted upwards after my first set of labs.