Zinc, Red Blood Cells Unit Converter

RBC Zinc measures the concentration of zinc inside your red blood cells, rather than in the liquid portion of blood (serum or plasma). Since red blood cells live for about 120 days, this test reflects your zinc status over the previous 2-3 months.

Zinc concentration in red blood cells is roughly 6-10 times higher than in plasma. Over 90% of this zinc is bound to metalloenzymes, primarily carbonic anhydrase and Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD1).

Unlike serum zinc, which fluctuates with meals, stress, inflammation, and time of day, RBC zinc provides a more stable picture of long-term zinc status. Studies have shown that plasma zinc and RBC zinc are essentially independent measures, so one can be normal while the other is abnormal.

Zinc is incorporated into developing red blood cells during their formation in the bone marrow. Once bound to metalloenzymes like carbonic anhydrase and SOD1 during maturation, the zinc remains within the cell for its entire lifespan. Dietary zinc is absorbed primarily in the small intestine, with the richest food sources being oysters, red meat, poultry, and shellfish.