Will stopping zinc supplements and starting a bisglycinated copper supplement of 2.5 mg improve my condition?

Stopping Zinc and Starting 2.5 mg Copper Bisglycinate

Yes, stopping zinc supplementation and starting 2.5 mg copper bisglycinate is appropriate if you have developed copper deficiency from excessive zinc intake, as zinc competitively inhibits copper absorption and can cause severe copper deficiency with prolonged use. 1

Critical Context: The Zinc-Copper Antagonism

Zinc and copper must be balanced carefully because each affects the absorption of the other. 1 The recommended ratio when supplementing both minerals is 8-15 mg zinc to 1 mg copper. 1, 2 When this ratio is disrupted by excessive zinc intake without adequate copper, deficiency develops.

Why Stopping Zinc is Essential

• High-dose zinc supplementation blocks intestinal copper absorption, and this blockade persists until excess zinc is eliminated from the body, which occurs slowly. 3
• Zinc-induced copper deficiency presents with anemia (hypochromic-microcytic), leukopenia, neutropenia, and potentially severe neurological complications including myeloneuropathy. 1, 3
• The elimination of excess zinc is slow, meaning continued zinc intake will prevent copper repletion even with copper supplementation. 3

Copper Repletion Strategy

Your Proposed Dose of 2.5 mg Copper

2.5 mg copper bisglycinate daily is a reasonable starting dose for mild to moderate copper deficiency. 1 This exceeds the standard maintenance dose of 2 mg copper recommended in multivitamins 1 and provides adequate repletion without requiring specialist intervention.

• Copper bisglycinate is an appropriate formulation as organic copper compounds generally have good bioavailability and tolerability. 4
• Standard repletion typically requires 2-8 mg copper daily depending on severity. 1

Treatment Algorithm Based on Severity

If copper levels are mildly low (>8 mmol/L but <12 mmol/L with elevated CRP >20 mg/L):

• Stop zinc supplementation immediately 3
• Start 2.5 mg copper daily 1
• Recheck copper and zinc levels after 3 months 1

If copper levels are severely low (<8 mmol/L):

• Stop zinc supplementation immediately 3
• Consider higher oral copper doses (4-8 mg daily) or refer for specialist assessment 1
• Severe deficiency may require IV copper if oral supplementation fails 3

Critical Monitoring Requirements

You must check both zinc AND copper levels simultaneously before and during treatment. 1 This is non-negotiable because:

• Copper levels should be measured with concurrent CRP to interpret results properly, as copper rises with inflammation. 1
• Recheck levels after 3 months of copper supplementation to ensure adequate repletion. 1
• Monitor for zinc deficiency development if copper supplementation is prolonged without any zinc intake. 5

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Do not restart zinc supplementation until copper levels normalize. 3 The competitive inhibition means even modest zinc intake can block copper absorption while excess zinc remains in tissues.

Do not assume copper supplementation alone will work if you continue zinc. 3 Case reports demonstrate that oral copper supplementation fails to correct zinc-induced copper deficiency until zinc is discontinued and excess zinc is eliminated.

If anemia or neurological symptoms are present, seek immediate medical evaluation. 1 Copper deficiency can cause irreversible neurological damage (myeloneuropathy) similar to B12 deficiency, requiring urgent treatment.

Long-Term Maintenance

Once copper levels normalize after 3 months:

• Consider a balanced multivitamin containing both minerals in the proper 8-15:1 zinc-to-copper ratio. 1, 2
• Standard maintenance is 15 mg zinc with 2 mg copper daily for most adults. 1, 2
• Continue monitoring both minerals every 6-12 months if you have risk factors for deficiency. 1