Hi blanewt

Welcome to Neurotalk (NT).

I had zinc poisoning after being prescribed 50mg Elemental Zinc daily which I took for 2.5 years with no follow up testing or monitoring. Unfortunately I live outside the US and the medication safety data held by our national pharmacy distributing agency was incomplete and none of the medical professionals I saw was aware of the possibility of zinc poisoning.

It took several months and with much help from the folks here on NT before I figured out what was wrong. As soon as I realized the zinc could be causing the cognitive and physical decline I was experiencing, I stopped taking it. Fortunately I've recovered somewhat but it's difficult to tell if there've been any permanent side effects directly as a result of the zinc overdose. I have another auto-immune condition which also has neurological implications.

During my research I found out that 40mg Elemental Zinc daily is the maximum recommended for adults. Many OTC supplements don't identify in the labeling the actual amount of Elemental zinc which is the definitive dose factor.

I hope this info helps you a little - although I realize your poisoning may be from a different source - please feel welcome to detail your experience and I and maybe others will be glad to help out where we can.