Zinc deficiency in mild hypertensive patients treated with diuretics

Mean hair zinc was found to be significantly lower in 20 mild hypertensive patients treated with thiazides for 6-36 months than in 19 mild hypertensive patients who had not been given diuretics for at least six months before study. Mean serum zinc did not differ significantly between the two groups. Chronic diuretic treatment can result in zinc deficiency through enhanced urinary excretion of zinc.