Expert: Dr. Ravindra Bhaskar Ghooi - 6/17/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hallo,i was taking feric hydroxide polymaltose iron+Folic acid at age of 13 because i had iron deficiency.I took one chewing tablet everyday for six months.Each chewable tablet contained 357,00 mg ferric hydroxide polymaltose complex corresponds to 100,00mg Iron (III) and 0,350 mg folic acid.Do you believe tha this iron supplement inhibit  absorption Zinc from my daily foods?? i read some study,which presents that iron supplments can interefere with Zinc at solutions(supplemental iron does let the absorption of zinc from foods??????).I was scared because i read the consequences of zinc deficiency to a teen boy even if it is mild or light.   Thank you very much for your time.   I will wait for your answer.   Dimitris


P/S I was taking the iron tablet mostly at morning and sometimes a noon and before sleep

ANSWER: Hi Dimitris,
The recommended daily allowance for zinc between the ages of 9 and  13 years is 8 mg and between 14 to 18 years is 11 mg, you require 11 mg pr day.
I agree that large maount of iron taken daily does affect Zinc absorption, this happens when your daily intake of iron is above 25 mg which in your case it is.
The question is whether you are still taking iron, becuse you wrote that you took it for 6 months. If you have stopped iron supplementation then there is no worry.
Zince deficinecy is common in vegetarians and those with malabsorption syndromes. Unless you suffer from this you need not worry.
If you feel that you have the deficinecy then the best way would be to check zinc levels in your body and take zinc supplements if there is deficiency.
Best wishes
Ravi Ghooi


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: No i do not take iron supplements any more i took them only for these six months.But maybe zinc low levels caused problems to my growth delay my growth??

ANSWER: Hi Dimitris,
Before I can comment on that I would like to know about your growth pattern. All details about your age, height weight and that of your parents too, would be appreciated.
Ravi Ghooi

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Now i am 21 years old, 1,75 m height 80 kg weight
My mother is 49 years old 1,67 height
My father is 53 years old 1,73 height 105 kg

Answer
Hi Dimitris,
The height of an individual depends both on genetics and nutrition. On the basis of the data provided, you are taller than you fathr and mother. You weght seems to be ideal (BMI of 26.14) you could reduce your weight slightly.
This heght may be sightly lower than the average amercian height but there is a large coefficient of variance when we consider height. I do not think that you have suffered any growth retardation and you appear to be a normal healthy individual.  woudl suggest you stop worrying and start living.
Ravi Ghooi