Question about Lab values....

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Specializes in LTAC, Med/Surg..

Hello;

I'm going to try this again. :)

Can someone help me to understand what a ZPP (Zinc Protoporphyrin) level is, how it relates to issues of lead poisoning, and what some other (non lead-related) causes of an elevated ZPP might include?

Last thread got closed down, so let me be PERFECTLY CLEAR - I AM NOT asking for medical advice, just cold hard clinical knowledge - I've always been impressed with the level of clinical knowledge folks on this site show and share, so hopefully someone can help me out!

(A/P I & II just wasn't enough to cover it :lol2: )

Thanks!

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Specializes in Tele, Infectious Disease, OHN.

I have a friend who is a hematologist in a reference lab. I will call her tomorrow because now I am wondering!!!

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Specializes in Cardiac.

never heard of it. but i typed it into google and this was one of a bizillion hits that came up:

zinc protoporphyrin - protoporphyrin is the part of haemoglobin that needs iron to help it carry oxygen. if there is not enough iron, another metal (such as zinc) will attach to the protoporphyrin instead. this test, which is simple to do using only a small amount of blood, is sometimes used as a screening test for iron deficiency, especially in children. because lead prevents iron (but not zinc) from attaching to protoporphyrin, zinc protoporphyrin will also be high in severe cases of lead poisoning.

iron tests

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Specializes in LTAC, Med/Surg..

Thanks for the info thusfar folks...

CardiacRN - that sounds about similar to what I've been able to pull up as well - interestingly enough, in this particular case the levels of lead are safe and low, so I'm just trying to do more background research. Since this seems to be such a stumper, I'll make sure to post more as I find out.

SaderNurse - I am anxious to hear what your friend has to say if you can get a hold of her - keep us posted!

Thanks again!

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