Serum zinc levels and urinary zinc excretion in patients with renal transplants.

An investigation into serum and plasma zinc levels and the urinary excretion of zinc in renal allotransplant patients was undertaken. A remarkable number (53%) of low serum and plasma levels of zinc was obtained as well as a distinct increase (37%) in urinary excretion in the 33 patients investigated. Because of the general tendency in these cases to depletion of body stores of zinc, oral supplementation may prove of value.