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Zinc excretion

Authoring team

Zinc is excreted mainly via the gut:

  • from non-absorbed (exogenous) sources because it is bound to metallothionein within enterocytes which slough
  • from absorbed (endogenous) sources due to transfer from circulating zinc pools back to metallothionein within enterocytes

A small amount can be excreted via the kidneys.

However, the following pathological states can result in excessive zinc excretion:

  • diarrhoea
  • patients with high-output fistulas

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