Zinc Picolinate and sleep problems

[Luis Ferrigno]

Hello,
Two weeks ago I started 10mg of zinc picolinate in the morning for anxiety and low testosterone.
I feel well for one week than I notice an increase of anxiety and nightmare at night. I woke up many times at nights so I decided to stop it.
Why this reaction? Can be a chelation problem or there is something else?
Thanks

 

[Megatron28]

I don't know about anxiety, but this will not do anything for your low testosterone.

How low is your T? Do you have recent blood work that you can share?

What causes your anxiety?

 

[Luis Ferrigno]

Hi, why not?
I read that it blocks aromatase and I have low testosterone and high estrogen.
My value are low for my age, I'm 29:
TESTOSTERONE 3.25 ng/mL [1.66 8.77]
FREE TESTOSTERONE 10.4 pg/mL [16.0 - 41.0]
ESTRADIOL 55.50 pg/mL [<56] (I read that normal value is 25.0 - 40.0)

My anxiety is caused by perfectionism and anger. I start to sweat for every small stress, then I feel a rash of adrenaline that stay for 1-2 hours.
I have poor digestion and ofter insomnia if my day is stressful.
I have high cortisol due to stress, i suppose.

 

[Megatron28]

The effect zinc has is minimal. What units is your TT in? The normal range for ng/dl is usually about 350-1200.

The normal range for E2 of 20-40pg/ml is based on the Sensitive Assay. If you got the Regular Assay keep in mind that it is usually overstated by 10-20 points which really puts your E2 at 35-45. Pretty much in the sweet spot.

 

[Luis Ferrigno]

The range in ng/dL is 325.
I don't know which assay was used but I read 17ß-estradiol (met. chemiluminescence).
Let's assume that the effect of zinc is minimal, why it causes insomnia when lot's of people take 50mg of zinc?
I take only 10mg, when RDA is 15mg.
Can it causes copper imbalance in just one week?

 

[Luis Ferrigno]

Anyone?

 

[johnfromeurope]

I think its placebo. 10mg does nothing. nothing negative. you mentioned you had sleep problems before, so why blaim 10mg zinc? makes no sense. Improve your sleep. Maybe you need new matress, maybe new blanket, sounds ridiculous, but i don't know for you what bothers you. Try 50mg zinc and then see what happens.