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Does Zinc Deficiency In Blood Cause Acne, Loss Of Libido And Greying Of Hair?

Posted on Mon, 14 Dec 2015

Question: I've had mild continuous acne, rigid nails, low sex drive, few gray hairs randomly appear over 2 years.

I had a high MCV last year at 100, so I started to take vitamin B and it came down gradual to now at 93.

Also, I believe zinc deficiency is highly possible (I drink alcohol once or twice each week a lot) so I think this is why. Because I have high protein diet otherwise and healthy diet.

I understand zinc test isn't simple to do, so I decided to guess like I partly did with the vitamin B, so how much should I take per day to help hopefully remove symptoms? Right now I've been taking 20MG Zinc with 1.25mg copper + 25MG Zinc Gluconate) each day.
I found initial acne breakout and then 3 weeks with calm, but is unusual, then again last days another outbreak. Sex drive a bit increased. Nails seem same.
Also I have a full blood count recently which was weird, on repeat it was also weird with opposite results. I can show you this if it would help. My doctor thought it was nothing to worry about anyway.

Please advise me.

Answered by Dr. Suresh Heijebu (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Possible Dimorphic Anemia

Detailed Answer:
Hello, Sir.

I can certainly understand your concerns.

I apologize for the delayed response owing to my work schedule.

I have worked through your query in detail.

You probably seems to have Dimorphic picture of anemia coupled with zinc deficiency.

Hence, along with zinc and B12 you need Folic acid and Iron supplementation for 6 months.

Iro and Folic acid are present in required dosages in commercially available Tab Conviron forte.

Daily Zinc of 60 mg is advised.This is available in oral tablets of Becozinc.

Additionally acne need treatment with topical combination retinoic acid and salicylic acid 2%.

Please check with your physician if he shares my view and if can prescribe the medication(s)to you.

Please upload your recent blood reports.

Post your further queries if any.
Thank you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Suresh Heijebu (12 hours later)

Thanks for your reply.

So last year my MCV was at 100, and I started to use vitamin b complex, after repeated blood tests over this year, it has come down to 93, so I think it was vitamin b after all. But on 2 recent tests, although MCV is normal, other things went weird. I attached the two tests, which were done within 2 weeks of each other.

I await your reply. Thanks.

Answered by Dr. Suresh Heijebu (13 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Not to worry at the moment.

Detailed Answer:
Hello, Sir.

I can certainly understand your concerns.

I apologize for the delayed response owing to my work schedule.

I have worked through your query and attached images/reports in detail.

Many of the contrasting lab results could be due to overcorrection of dimorphic anemia.

This is not an issue at the moment to worry.

All I suggest you is to repeat the abnormal blood tests after 2weeks along with the peripheral blood smear.

Kindly update me with test results.

Post your further queries if any.
Thank you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Suresh Heijebu (13 hours later)

Thanks for reply. My GP thinks they are ok and due to some infection or my immune issue (got vitiligo) but the MCV is now 93 from 100 last year which is good. I also taking 50mg of zinc a day and vitamin b multi vitamin.

Answered by Dr. Suresh Heijebu (30 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Continue with zinc and multivitamin

Detailed Answer:
Hello, Sir.

Please continue with these medications.

Get a repeat tests after 2 weeks and update me test results.

Post your further queries if any.
Thank you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Suresh Heijebu (14 hours later)

Hi,
I will order a new test within 3 weeks and tell you the results. I thought I would mention that my toe nails have strange colour at the tips, probably normal, but attached it incase any link to what we talking about.

Thanks

Answered by Dr. Suresh Heijebu (12 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Possibly linked to anemia

Detailed Answer:
Hello, Sir.

I have worked through your attached image.

Yes, these nail changes are directly linked to underlying dimorphic pic of anemia.

This should reverse with correction of anemia.

Thank you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Suresh Heijebu (12 hours later)

Thanks for reply. It sounds worrrying!
I did a B12 test last week, they claim results were good and high, and I sent folic acid test yesturday, hope for the result next week. What if it comes back normal?
What should I do?

Answered by Dr. Suresh Heijebu (39 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Nail changes are likely to reverse

Detailed Answer:
Hello, Sir.

I can certainly understand your concerns.

I apologize for the delayed response owning to my work schedule.

The nail changes will reverse with time once the anemia is completely corrected.

You need not worry much as of now.

Update with me test results.

Post your further queries if any.
Thank you.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar