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whitewave 
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Joined: 04 July 2008
Location: Raetihi
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 Topic: zinc deficiency?
Posted: 06 August 2010 at 10:42pm |
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I've noticed that Campbell has a few white spots on his fingernails, and have wondered if it is related to a possible zinc deficiency. So I googled it tonight, and it came up with a suggestion that a zinc deficiency can cause sleep problems (such as many wakings during the night) and behavioural issues such as hyperactivity in children. Wow, could this really be the reason why I still get woken many times at night? And why I get a hyper toddler who likes to pull hair?
This of course could all easily be explained as typical toddler behaviour! So does anyone have any experience with zinc deficiencies, or have any recommendations?
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palomino
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Joined: 27 July 2008
Location: North Island
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Posted: 07 August 2010 at 8:34am |
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I got diagnosed about 2 months ago. For me i had spots on nails, my hair was falling out badly, horrible skin (pimples everywhere) and other things. Im still bf so was worried that DS would also be affected but he doesnt seem to have any symptoms so far. So unsure what they do for toddlers. But for myself, just put me on a supplement.
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Mum_me
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Posted: 07 August 2010 at 10:44am |
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I think that the theory is that high copper levels can lead to behavioural problems and poor sleeping. When zinc level increase, copper levels fall.
White spots are an indicator of low zinc.
We have had a lot of success giving DS zinc drops - he is much calmer on them.
I give both my kids clinicians zinc drops. DS (4) has 5 drops and DD (15mths) has 3 drops.
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AandCsmum
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Posted: 07 August 2010 at 1:39pm |
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Yes white spots are lack of zinc, I was always told they were lack of calcium but that's not true.
<looks at nails & wanders off to find zinc supp>
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Kel
A = 01.02.04 & C = 16.01.09 & G = 30.03.12
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whitewave
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Posted: 07 August 2010 at 7:43pm |
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Cool, thanks guys. Mum_me, where do you get the Clinicians zinc drops from, can you get them from a pharmacy?
Do you have to get a prescription, or is it over-the-counter type stuff?
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Shezamumof3
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Posted: 07 August 2010 at 8:21pm |
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hmmm white spots on nails doesnt necessarily mean zinc definciancy.
I learnt about it when I did nail technology its called Leuconychia -
Leuconychia is evident as white lines or spots in the nail plate and may be caused by tiny bubbles of air that are trapped in the nail plate layers due to trauma. This condition may be hereditary and no treatment is required as the spots will grow out with the nail plate.
I get them and so does Caden. They can be caused(as said above) if you bang your nails or jam them in something etc
Edited by Sheza
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Mum_me
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Posted: 08 August 2010 at 10:42am |
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Yes, white marks can also be caused by trauma to the nail, but if you have a lot of them it is probably more likely to be caused by a lack of zinc.
Most chemists and health shops sell Clinician zinc drops, or you can get the online for cheaper...
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whitewave
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Posted: 08 August 2010 at 12:38pm |
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Hmm that's interesting Sheza, he has occasionally got fingers caught in cabinet doors, etc so its possible. But most toddlers do this, too!
What kind of tests can you get done to test for zinc deficiencies? Might have to take him to the doc anyway, just to be sure.
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Shelt
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Posted: 10 August 2010 at 8:56pm |
I am on zinc drops at the moment because the doctor suggested taking zinc to boost my crappy immune system. I just went down to the local herbalist and they said the worse the zinc tastes the less you need it basically. They gave me some stuff to drink and I could hardly taste it - that apparently meant that I needed to take the supplement coz if you have enough zinc in your body it tastes awful. Mind you the zinc drops don't exactly taste great either, the aftertaste is horrible 
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zinc deficiency?