High Levels of Zinc

[jewels]

I thought I would post this health article as many use Zinc to support the immune system. This relates to a high level, but it did leave me thinking if our children have natural high amounts if it is not detoxed out of the body, or are sensitive to zinc.

 

I used to use Kids calm daily for the vit c level, dd has in the past complained of tingling in hands and feet. We stopped using this due to high oxalate levels.

 

 

Long-term use of a popular brand of denture adhesive could cause high levels of zinc in the body linked with neurological problems such as numbness and difficulty walking, a pharmaceutical giant said.

 

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has stopped the manufacture of adhesives which contain zinc in response to health fears.

 

It said customers who have used more Poligrip Ultra and Poligrip Total Care than directed on the packaging over a number of years should stop using the products and get medical advice.

 

A 40g tube should last about six weeks, but some people will have used more than directed because of ill-fitting dentures, the company said. Zinc is not absorbed in the mouth but only when swallowed.

 

GSK said its own reports on the products and other scientific literature suggested that excessive use of the adhesive could cause problems.

 

A statement from the company said: "In 2009 we receive an increased number of adverse event reports. Together with published literature, these suggest that excessive use of these products, typically for several years, may lead to the development of high levels of zinc in the body which are associated with neurological symptoms such as numbness, tingling or weakness in the arms and legs, difficulties with walking and balance and blood problems such as anaemia.

 

"These reports are very rare, given that several million people are users of our products."

 

Poligrip Ultra and Poligrip Total Care are safe to use as directed, but customers who have use them for several years in greater amounts than instructed should stop using them and talk to their doctor, GSK said.

 

It will now transfer to zinc-free versions of the adhesives.

[LNN]

I have to thank you for this post. Last week, my son came down with a head cold. He has never had PANDAS symptoms from colds, only strep. But over the weekend, I saw subtle things that made my antenna go up. Then on Sun & Mon I heard two small vocal tics - we've been tic free for 5 months post-pex. We've had two manageable PANDAS flairs post-pex, but no tics. So now my heart is in my stomach. Then on Tuesday, he says he feels shaky and his fingers are playing the piano. I am officially freaked. Even at his worst last year, I never saw piano-playing and on Tuesday he's playing Beethoven's 9th. Yesterday, I heard one hum, but the piano chorea was significantly subsiding.

 

On the way to work today, it struck me that the only thing that was different for this cold was that I started giving him Zicam for the cold last Friday. Had him sucking the lozenges every 4 hours for 2 days. Then the cold went away. I took the Zicam too and the cold I felt coming on never amounted to much. So here I am thinking how good the stuff is. Maybe for me. But maybe not for my son?

 

So maybe it's the Zicam and not a true PANDAS flair. Like I said, colds have never given him a problem. So thank you for this post. I know I can't know for sure. But you helped my off the panic ledge.

[jewels]

Hi LLM

 

How is your son now? Have the symptoms gone?

 

Hope its good news!

 

Jules

[Chemar]

just wanted to post another aspect of this, being that some people have neurological symptoms caused by zinc deficiency!

An example is pyroluria.

Both my husband and son find they need daily opti-zinc in conjunction with other supps that help with their TS tics

 

so yes, excess zinc is bad neurologically, but so is not enough.

 

another reason why it is always a good idea to try to use things like spectracell analysis etc to determine whether one has too much or too little of vitamins, minerals and other essential elements and then supplement only if needed

[smartyjones]

[quote name='Chemar' date='Feb 19 2010, 02:47 PM' post='56585'

another reason why it is always a good idea to try to use things like spectracell analysis etc to determine whether one has too much or too little of vitamins, minerals and other essential elements and then supplement only if needed

 

 

what is spectracell analysis?

[Chemar]

spectracell measures the vitamin and amino acids I believe, and directlabs did the mineral tests

 

these were tests our integrative physician ran for us

 

there is an old thread on the TS forum about all these tests. As we had ours almost 10 years ago, I am not sure if there may be more advanced methods now..

 

http://www.latitudes.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=755

 

also this lab can measure neurotransmitter levels etc

https://www.neurorelief.com/index.php?optio...9&Itemid=74

[jewels]

Sorry Cheri,

 

Forgot to mention pyroluria, our Dan tested for this as she said it was an important test for anyone with Tic symptoms. We had a regular bloods check last October and it showed that dd was midly anaemic. We only gave her 2mg daily child dose for zinc.

 

Since stopping supplement pins and needles in fingers have improved. We also check for diabeties as some symptoms can cross over, however I think we may have some detox issues going on.

 

Thanks

Jules

[justinekno]

We are the complete other end of the spectrum. My son is vey deficient in zinc (white spots on nails and bloodwork showed deficiencies). We have been supplementing with 20 mg twice a day and levels are slowly improving.

 

I thought I would post this health article as many use Zinc to support the immune system. This relates to a high level, but it did leave me thinking if our children have natural high amounts if it is not detoxed out of the body, or are sensitive to zinc.

 

I used to use Kids calm daily for the vit c level, dd has in the past complained of tingling in hands and feet. We stopped using this due to high oxalate levels.

 

 

Long-term use of a popular brand of denture adhesive could cause high levels of zinc in the body linked with neurological problems such as numbness and difficulty walking, a pharmaceutical giant said.

 

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has stopped the manufacture of adhesives which contain zinc in response to health fears.

 

It said customers who have used more Poligrip Ultra and Poligrip Total Care than directed on the packaging over a number of years should stop using the products and get medical advice.

 

A 40g tube should last about six weeks, but some people will have used more than directed because of ill-fitting dentures, the company said. Zinc is not absorbed in the mouth but only when swallowed.

 

GSK said its own reports on the products and other scientific literature suggested that excessive use of the adhesive could cause problems.

 

A statement from the company said: "In 2009 we receive an increased number of adverse event reports. Together with published literature, these suggest that excessive use of these products, typically for several years, may lead to the development of high levels of zinc in the body which are associated with neurological symptoms such as numbness, tingling or weakness in the arms and legs, difficulties with walking and balance and blood problems such as anaemia.

 

"These reports are very rare, given that several million people are users of our products."

 

Poligrip Ultra and Poligrip Total Care are safe to use as directed, but customers who have use them for several years in greater amounts than instructed should stop using them and talk to their doctor, GSK said.

 

It will now transfer to zinc-free versions of the adhesives.

[LNN]

Hi LLM

 

How is your son now? Have the symptoms gone?

 

Hope its good news!

 

Jules

 

No more piano playing, no vocal tic yesterday, mood pleasant and cooperative. I'll never know what triggered things. But I sure am glad they're gone! And I know he won't be taking any more zicam....

[jewels]

Wonderful news!!!

[Chemar]

No more piano playing, no vocal tic yesterday, mood pleasant and cooperative. I'll never know what triggered things. But I sure am glad they're gone! And I know he won't be taking any more zicam....

 

I see there have been past FDA warnings on the product Zicam, related to loss of smell

 

http://www.fda.gov/Newsevents/Newsroom/Pre...s/ucm167065.htm

 

 

so glad to hear your child is so much better!