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Suggest Treatment For Frequent Acne

Posted on Fri, 11 Nov 2016

Question: Hi
I've had variety of issues. Paranoia, depression but vitiligo very slow spreading if not reversing. But the cure for my acne was taking zinc, but everytime i stop taking it after a while it comes back and I feel low energry. I have lots of meat in my diet, but i seem to not get enough zinc. My question is why would this be, and how much can I take per day? I have Zinc Gluconate. 50MG atm.

Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (11 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Consultation

Detailed Answer:
Hello, and thanks for your question.

How do you know that you are not getting enough zinc? The only way to diagnose a zinc deficiency is with a specific blood test, and this test is very very uncommon. If you do not have a confirmed zinc deficiency confirmed with a blood test to test the zinc level, I would not worry about this. You do not need to take more than 50mg of zinc gluconate per day, even for a confirmed zinc deficiency.

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In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly at my private web address below. After you ask a direct question, it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private web address: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (1 hour later)

Yes, I understand it is hard to test for.
Obviously, because zinc appears to clear up my bad acne, this seems to be a good reason to think I need more zinc. Each time I lay off the zinc, the acne begins to return and fatigue too. I also read that vitiligo can come with many deficiency including zinc.

As for dosage, should I stick to 50MG per day? And how much copper should I bother taking, if any?

Thanks

Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Followup

Detailed Answer:
I understand better now, thanks. If you feel zinc has been helpful for acne, then supplementation would certainly be appropriate. I would not take more than 50mg daily as this is really the maximum your body can safely absorb. I would not bother supplementing with copper, as you already take in the very tiny amount you need through tiny amounts in food already.

Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied.

In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly at my private web address below. After you ask a direct question, it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private web address: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (46 minutes later)

Thanks. I will take around 50mg per day in this case. What elemental zinc is in this form? I read you can take 300-400mg of this zinc to get 50mg of elemental?

Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Followup

Detailed Answer:
That is correct, typically doses from 220mg-400mg contain around 50mg of elemental zinc. Just check the label on the bottle before purchasing it, the label will tell you how much elemental zinc the pills contain.

Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied.

In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly at my private web address below. After you ask a direct question, it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private web address: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (54 minutes later)

This is what I have
http://www.hollandandbarrett.com/shop/product/holland-barrett-maximum-strength-zinc-tablets-25mg-0000

Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (6 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Followup

Detailed Answer:
That 25mg refers to elemental zinc. So, take two tablets once daily.

Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied.

In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly at my private web address below. After you ask a direct question, it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private web address: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers

Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee