What happens if you eat too many zinc gluconate tablets

Excessive use of zinc gluconate tablets may lead to zinc poisoning, resulting in gastrointestinal discomfort symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Long term overdose may also lead to problems such as copper deficiency and immune dysfunction. Zinc gluconate tablets are mainly used for growth retardation and immune deficiency caused by zinc deficiency. It is recommended to strictly follow the doctor's advice or instructions for dosage. When taking zinc gluconate tablets excessively in the short term, the common reaction is gastrointestinal irritation symptoms. Direct stimulation of gastric mucosa by zinc ions may cause upper abdominal pain, accompanied by decreased appetite. Some people may experience non-specific symptoms such as dizziness and fatigue, which are related to zinc interfering with the metabolism of other minerals. Excessive zinc competitively inhibits the absorption of copper and iron, and a metallic taste may be observed in the mouth after a single high-dose intake. Excessive ingestion by children may cause drowsiness or restlessness, and prompt medical treatment is necessary. Long term over recommended doses of zinc supplementation may cause chronic zinc poisoning. Continuous high zinc concentration in the blood can inhibit the synthesis of ceruloplasmin, leading to small cell hypochromic anemia. Neurological symptoms such as limb numbness and gait instability may gradually manifest, which is associated with spinal cord neuropathy caused by secondary copper deficiency. Some patients may experience a decrease in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, which increases cardiovascular risk. Abnormal immune function is manifested as recurrent infections or delayed wound healing, and requires diagnosis through serum zinc and copper testing. When symptoms of suspected zinc overdose appear, zinc gluconate tablets should be stopped immediately. Mild poisoning can be accelerated by drinking plenty of water. Severe poisoning patients need to seek medical attention for intravenous fluid replacement, and if necessary, use metal chelating agents such as calcium sodium edetate. When supplementing zinc in daily life, avoid taking it with milk or soy products, and leave an interval of more than two hours to reduce absorption interference. Special populations such as pregnant men who require zinc supplementation should monitor semen quality to prevent excessive zinc from inhibiting sperm motility. Zinc preparations should be stored out of reach of children to prevent the risk of ingestion.