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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by linkadge on December 21, 2003, at 9:22:06
There seems to be a significant correlation between zinc levels and depressive symptoms. After many antidepressant treatments (including ECT) there is marked increases in levels of zinc in the hippocampas. It seems to be inversly correlated to copper levels which can exasperate certain depressive symptoms.
Do you think this warrants a depressive to supplement with the mineral, or do you think
this would be useless.Linkadge
fruitless
Posted by john1022 on December 21, 2003, at 9:51:34
In reply to Zinc and Depression, Larry ??, posted by linkadge on December 21, 2003, at 9:22:06
I wish I could answer your question, but I recently had a hair and mineral test done. My zinc levels were very low and I had extremely high levels of copper in on my hair test.
My taurine levels (which regulate neurotransmitters from what I understand) were also way down along with molybdenum.
Both Taurine and molybdenum help rid the body of copper. My doctor gave me a supplement called Zinc Supreme from designsforhealth.com. It contains Zinc, Taurine, B6 and Molybdenum to all help lower copper levels while boosting my Zinc, Taurine and Molybdenum levels which I need.
The doctor said my extreme levels of copper could be the reason for both my depression and sensitivity to normal antidepressants. Apparently excessive copper can cause depression, anxiety, insomnia, fatigue and a few other symptoms I forget. I seem to have all of the above so I am interested to see what happens over the next few months when I get these mineral levels in check. Good luck Linkadge!
Posted by linkadge on December 21, 2003, at 13:40:46
In reply to Re: Zinc and Depression, Larry ??, posted by john1022 on December 21, 2003, at 9:51:34
I am convinced that I have high copper levels too. I have been drinking tap water for my entire liftime, I eat meat only rarely so my zinc levels are low (although a hair test can determine this for sure). I do not have schitsophrenia but I am very paranoid. I always feel like sombody (not something) is preventing me from getting better.
I can't get past 10 mg of Celexa.
My vision is very dark at times. Objects don't always look normal. The appearance of things is always different from day to day. Really weird
Linkadge
Posted by Jaynee on December 21, 2003, at 17:07:14
In reply to Re: Zinc and Depression, Larry ??, posted by linkadge on December 21, 2003, at 13:40:46
If you have time look up Microelements and inherited metabolic diseases along with the below links.
http://www.wilsonsdisease.org/
http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/wilson/index.htm
I have hemochromatosis, which can also screw up your copper levels.
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/hemochromatosis/
http://hemochromatose.tripod.com/asubj.html
excessive iron has also been tied to treatment resistant bipolar depression.
Can J Psychiatry. 1994 Feb;39(1):8-11. Related Articles, Links
Iron overload and psychiatric illness.Cutler P.
Seven patients with varying psychiatric disorders were found to have iron overload as manifested by abnormal serum ferritin, transferrin saturation index (TSI), or excessive urinary iron. All possible sources of secondary iron overload were ruled out. The patients were treated with the specific iron chelator, deferoxamine, given IM for seven to 22 weeks which resulted in significant clinical improvements. These cases indicate a need to be aware that disordered iron metabolism is a somatic cause of psychiatric illness and that there is clinical improvement upon lowering elevated iron levels in patients with iron overload.
Publication Types:
Case ReportsPMID: 8194001 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Posted by tealady on December 21, 2003, at 22:54:44
In reply to Wilson's disease, posted by Jaynee on December 21, 2003, at 17:07:14
>
> I have hemochromatosis, which can also screw up your copper levels.
>
>> Iron overload and psychiatric illness.
>Perhaps the best solution for "too high iron levels" is to donate blood often. This reduces the level.
(or leeches perhaps?? as in the olden days <sorry couldn't resist>)Jan
Posted by Jaynee on December 22, 2003, at 13:38:31
In reply to Re: Wilson's disease » Jaynee, posted by tealady on December 21, 2003, at 22:54:44
Oh I have already done the phlebotomies. I went every week for about 3 months, where they took out a pint of blood a week. Then every 2 to 3 weeks for another 4 months. The objective was to bring down my saturation and ferritin levels and make me anemic. I can tell you being anemic isn't as bad as being overloaded with iron.
But even though I don't have as much iron in my system, I still suffer from depression/anxiety. I think the iron already did its damage to my brain, but at least I got diagnosed at an early enough age that the iron should do any more damage.
Posted by poop'd-out on December 22, 2003, at 21:08:39
In reply to Zinc and Depression, Larry ??, posted by linkadge on December 21, 2003, at 9:22:06
> There seems to be a significant correlation between zinc levels and depressive symptoms. After many antidepressant treatments (including ECT) there is marked increases in levels of zinc in the hippocampas. It seems to be inversly correlated to copper levels which can exasperate certain depressive symptoms.
>
> Do you think this warrants a depressive to supplement with the mineral, or do you think
> this would be useless.
>
> Linkadge
> fruitlessHi Linkadge,
I know this was addressed to Larry, but it caught my eye. I sometimes take a supplement called Zinc king which is supposed to help prevent a cold from coming on.
Strangely, I noticed an improvement in my mood almost immediately after taking. Also, I think I noticed an increase in my libido! I don't use it on a consistent basis and don't know if it would work in the long run or if it is advisable. These are actually lozenges not tablets. I also don't know if just supplementing with plain old zinc would have the same effect, I have never tried that. Please let me know what you find out.
Beth
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