Zinc balance before and during treatment with bendroflumethiazide

The present study gives full balance data for zinc in two healthy individuals before and during treatment with chlorthalidone. Positive zinc balances were noted in both subjects without therapy. During chlorthalidone treatment the balances changed in a negative direction. Thus, the normal or slightly increases serum zinc values, which have been observed during diuretic treatment in spite of increased urinary losses of zinc, cannot be explained by increased zinc absorption. Depletion of zinc in tissues seems likely.