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Updated: May 7, 2026
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Atomic Absorbance Spectroscopy to Measure Intracellular Zinc Pools in Mammalian Cells
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Zinc-Induced Hematologic Toxicities: A Systematic Review of Descriptive Studies
Archita Dutta1, Vaibhav Chaudhary1, Sweta Kumari1
1School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Punjab, 144411, Phagwara, India.
Biological Trace Element Research
|May 5, 2026
Summary
Excessive zinc intake can cause serious blood disorders like anemia and low white blood cell counts by disrupting copper metabolism. Promptly stopping zinc supplements and adding copper can reverse these hematologic toxicities.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Toxicology
- Trace Element Metabolism
Background:
- Zinc is essential but excessive intake disrupts copper metabolism.
- This can lead to significant hematologic abnormalities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and synthesize evidence on zinc-induced hematologic toxicities in humans.
- To identify common sources, doses, and clinical presentations of zinc toxicity.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search of PubMed and Scopus for descriptive studies.
- Inclusion of studies reporting anemia, neutropenia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, pancytopenia, or bone marrow suppression linked to zinc exposure.
- Data extraction on patient demographics, zinc exposure details, clinical findings, and outcomes.
Main Results:
- 37 cases reported from 34 publications (1972-2025) due to oral supplements, denture creams, or coin ingestion.
- Anemia, neutropenia, and leukopenia were common; pancytopenia occurred with severe/prolonged exposure.
- Reduced serum copper, bone marrow findings mimicking myelodysplastic syndrome, and hematologic recovery with zinc cessation and copper supplementation.
Conclusions:
- Zinc-induced hematologic toxicity is uncommon but underrecognized and largely reversible.
- Consider excessive zinc exposure in unexplained cytopenias.
- Assessing zinc and copper status is crucial for diagnosis and preventing complications.
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