Zinc Killed My Libido

[J4son]

Hello , a year ago I decided to suplement with 200 mg of zinc per day(I know it was very stupid).This killed my libido completely.Some months later I had blood test done that showed:

ceruloplasmin -> 0,20 mg% normal range -> 0,15-,0,60
zinc ->89,0 ug/dl normal range -> 50-120
ferritin ->66,0 ug/ml normal range ->30-437

My doctor said that those levels were normal and that I shouldnt worry about it.
Some months later after doing my research I figured out that I probably have caused a copper deficiency.
Coper deficiency leads to low ferriting and low DHT(which is responsible for erections)
I then started suplementing with copper(25 mg per day)
My libido went up IMMEDIATLY but it did not get back to the way it was.
After 5 days on 25 mg of copper per day my libido started lowering again.
Then I decided to test my blood levels of copper and zinc.
My levels now are

Copper -> 102 ug/dl normal range -> 70-140
Zinc ->73,7 ug/dl normal range ->50-120

What do I need to do?Do I need to supplement with zinc?

 

[TheHound]

Hello , a year ago I decided to suplement with 200 mg of zinc per day(I know it was very stupid).This killed my libido completely.Some months later I had blood test done that showed:

ceruloplasmin -> 0,20 mg% normal range -> 0,15-,0,60
zinc ->89,0 ug/dl normal range -> 50-120
ferritin ->66,0 ug/ml normal range ->30-437

My doctor said that those levels were normal and that I shouldnt worry about it.
Some months later after doing my research I figured out that I probably have caused a copper deficiency.
Coper deficiency leads to low ferriting and low DHT(which is responsible for erections)
I then started suplementing with copper(25 mg per day)
My libido went up IMMEDIATLY but it did not get back to the way it was.
After 5 days on 25 mg of copper per day my libido started lowering again.
Then I decided to test my blood levels of copper and zinc.
My levels now are

Copper -> 102 ug/dl normal range -> 70-140
Zinc ->73,7 ug/dl normal range ->50-120

What do I need to do?Do I need to supplement with zinc?

why not just completely stop supplementing both....?

 

[BibleBeliever]

Those are very high dosages of each supplement; extremely high. Ray has warned amount metal supplements causing liver issues over a prolonged period.
If you want copper stick to liver; 28 grams has 200%; beef liver. Have with coffee to prevent excessive iron. Many will cook a whole liver, cut it into pieces and eat a bit each day. I freeze mine.
If you want zinc stick to oysters; 100 grams has 1100% roughly. Just a few a day will do.

Too much copper is anti-thyroid, can cause weight gain and estrogenic.
This site on excessive zinc:
Zinc Potassium DRI/RDA, benefits, side effects, overdose, toxicity, requirements
"Excessive zinc intake will eventually affect the balance and proper ratios with numerous other nutrients,
which includes iron, calcium, selenium, nickel, phosphorus, copper, as well as Vitamin A, B1, C, and others.
It may also cause, or contribute to gastrointestinal problems, vomiting, anemia, loss of libido, impotence,
prostatitis, ovarian cysts, menstrual problems, renal tubular necrosis / interstitial nephritis, dizziness, hair
loss, depressed immune functions, muscle spasms, and sciatica (discussed below), among others."

If the vitamin a is accurate and is lowered by zinc, than that has a big issue with libido.
https://www.anabolicmen.com/vitamin-a-testosterone/
https://www.westonaprice.org/health-topics/vitamin-a-the-forgotten-bodybuilding-nutrient/

Liver is also high in vitamin a; extremely high.

If you switch to foods for nutrition stay in moderation. Excess of any mineral can cause many issues, especially when supplemented.

I would do what TheHound says and stop both. Blood tests can also not give a proper picture.

 

[schultz]

why not just completely stop supplementing both....?

+1

Zinc and copper are easy enough to get from food.

 

[dbh25]

Has anyone come across an optimal range for Cu:Zn ratio?

 

[japanesedude]

In my understanding, basically copper is a estrogenic and zinc is a androgenic.
in fact,When I take supplemantal copper or liquid chlorophyll(Now brands,which contains 4mg Copper/teaspoon),
I feel sad,weak and my nipple get puffy and itchy.
Zinc does the opposite.
However,Zinc seems to have a dose-dependent effect.
for example,
The study shows that when added at concentrations of 3 or 9 mmol/l (3 mnol/l = 54mg), zinc was a potent inhibitor of 5 alpha-reductase activity
and lower concentration(10-30mg) is actually increase 5AR activity.

100mg Zinc can almost complety inhibit 5AR activity.
but its still a potent aromatase and prolactin Inhibitor.

 

[pimpnamedraypeat]

Sounds like you were hyper-libidinal from too much estrogen and zinc fixed that for you.

You're welcome.

 

[REOSIRENS]

High dose of zinc lowers dhea...dhea is dependent on copper

 

[mosaic01]

Sounds like you were hyper-libidinal from too much estrogen and zinc fixed that for you.

You're welcome.

This is probably the simple truth.

 

[J4son]

So you are saying that I may have caused a vitamn A deficiency?

Sounds like you were hyper-libidinal from too much estrogen and zinc fixed that for you.

You're welcome.

No , before I took zinc , I could watch some porn or a woman in the street and I could get erect.Now it does not happen.Im sure this is not normal.

 

[pimpnamedraypeat]

So you are saying that I may have caused a vitamn A deficiency?

No , before I took zinc , I could watch some porn or a woman in the street and I could get erect.Now it does not happen.Im sure this is not normal.

how old are you. less porn and less popping boners to random women. it sounds like you're better off.

 

[Tim Lundeen]

I take 45mg/day zinc and 3mg copper, works for me. You could try zinc in the range of 15-45mg/day, copper roughly 1/10th of that. Not clear you need to take copper if zinc is less than 30mg/day.

But oysters are better... when I have oysters I skip the zinc/copper, do that 2-3 of times per week. You could try stopping the supplements altogether, have oysters every-other day.

 

[japanesedude]

how old are you. less porn and less popping boners to random women. it sounds like you're better off.

Thats a good point.
If his Estrogen is high,He have weak erection.but libido is fine or even higher.
If his Estrogen is low enough ,He have strong erection and normal libido.

 

[ScottyVP]

I've always found supplemental zinc very tricky with mixed results, even with the same amount causing different outcomes at different times. I just use oysters now as this mixed outcome just doesn't happen with them, I've no idea as to why though, maybe the copper/zinc ratio?

 

[J4son]

Thats a good point.
If his Estrogen is high,He have weak erection.but libido is fine or even higher.
If his Estrogen is low enough ,He have strong erection and normal libido.

I dont have strong erection.My erections are softer and I ejaculate easily.They were way harder before.

 

[japanesedude]

You may have high Estrogen.
Premature Eajculation and weak erection are the signs of high Estrogen.
Im not a doctor so I can't really advice what to take.
but supplement like Vitamin E(400IU) can lower Estrogen and Prolactin.
also If you take Zinc, just stay at the small doses like 10-30mg.
Zinc at under 30mg doses are benefical to increase 5AR activity.

 

[REOSIRENS]

Copper deficiency halves serum dehydroepiandrosterone in rats. - PubMed - NCBI

 

[REOSIRENS]

There are some more studies showing that zinc may at times suppress testosterone specially if you are deficient of copper ...zinc is good to lower prolactin but it needs copper to enhance libido...and copper is essential for good orgasm

 

[Braveheart]

so, is there a ratio of zinc to copper, to guide us?

 

[japanesedude]

Yoda avatar dude said 8:1 Zinc copper should be good.