No fasting required.

This test measures the amount of zinc in the blood (or sometimes urine). Zinc is an essential trace element with important functions throughout the body. Zinc is important for protein synthesis, enzyme function and plays a structural role in proteins and nucleic acids.

Zinc is a component of many high protein foods such as meat, fish and dairy products. It is present in vegetables and grains but the bioavailability is reduced because dietary fibres can inhibit its absorption.