Zinc for Treating Tinnitus

[lymebite]

I think it is valuable to know whether or not a person has a zinc deficiency before trying zinc as a supplement. Zinc is unusual among vitamins and minerals in that it is possible to detect a deficiency with a simple taste test - no blood tests needed.

This product serves as both a test of zinc deficiency and a supplement.

http://a.co/0B6ub7z

 

[teacher34]

So, I was just on here answering a PM and thought it might be time to post this nugget. I've been taking generic Zicam - Zincum Acetium and Zincum Gluconium - twice a day for months now and I really do think it's helped me. I stumbled on this when I got a sniffle some time back and got on the supplement for its stated purpose, to reduce the length of a cold. After several days of taking it every time I felt low, I noticed my tinnitus was quite low. I then got off the Zicam and within a few days it was a bit louder. Since then I've been on it continually, except for a period of about a week when I ran out and, again, my noises spiked up a bit.

Now, I do a lot to combat my tinnitus, and since my 6-week usage of retigabine, it has been much quieter and easier to ignore, plus I'm mentally in a much better state than last year. Still, I feel like the Zicam is helping, and it makes a certain amount of sense. Zinc is good stuff, but we all know that some forms of beneficial minerals are more bio-available than others. Maybe this just happens to be what my body can process.

An important note if you want to try this is that Zicam is normally $10 a bottle, and I take two a day (morning and night), so that's about a dollar a day! However, if you can find a store brand, it can be affordable. Dollar General near my house was selling a 25-count bottle for under $4.00, though the last time my wife went the remaining supply was on the clearance shelf, so they may be getting out of the business. Sometimes I take half a pill per dose if I'm feeling good.

Is Zicam still helpful for you?

 

[Single]

I have had Tinnitus Since 2001, few days ago I started taking some potassium supplements and now I feel better. I feel confident that my tinnitus will go away soon.

 

[teacher34]

I have had Tinnitus Since 2001, few days ago I started taking some potassium supplements and now I feel better. I feel confident that my tinnitus will go away soon. So I think every one should give it a try.

What brand and strength are you taking?

 

[Single]

When I am taking 99mg GNC Gluconate 3 times a day. I think about 300mg/ day will be safe.

 

[teacher34]

When I am taking 99mg GNC Gluconate 3 times a day. I think about 300mg/ day will be safe.

When you said you feel better, did you mean your T was quieter? How long have you been taking it?

 

[Single]

Yes. Sometimes it is up. But I feel better most of the times.

 

[Single]

When you said you feel better, did you mean your T was quieter? How long have you been taking it?

Hi Teacher34, how is your Tinnitus? I hope it is getting for you.

 

[Frédéric]

Since I cannot create threads in the "clinical trial" section, I posted this information in this thread.

The reference of the clinical trial:
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02951715

The results :
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2319417018300088

Abstract
Background
Zinc plays a vital antioxidant role in human metabolism. Recent studies have demonstrated a correlation between noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) and oxidative injury; however, no investigation has focused specifically on the subgroup of NIHL associated tinnitus patients. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of zinc supplementation in treating NIHL associated tinnitus.

Methods
Twenty patients with tinnitus and a typical NIHL audiogram (38 ears) were included in this study. Another 20 healthy subjects were used as the control group. A full medical history assessment was performed, and each subject underwent an otoscopic examination, basic audiologic evaluation, distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs), tinnitus-match testing, Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) and serum zinc level analyses. After 2 months of treatment with zinc, all tests were repeated.

Results
There was a significant difference between pretreatment and post-treatment within the tinnitus group (73.6 vs. 84.6 μg/dl). The pre- and post-treatment difference in serum zinc was significantly higher in the young group (≦50 years) compared to the old group (19.4 ± 11.4 vs. 2.6 ± 9.2 μg/dl, respectively; p = 0.002). There were no statistically significant differences in hearing thresholds, speech reception thresholds, or tinnitus frequency and loudness results before and after treatment. In addition, 17 patients (85%) showed statistically significant improvement of THI-total scores post-treatment, from 38.3 to 30 (p = 0.024).

Conclusions
Zinc oral supplementation elevated serum zinc levels, especially in younger patients. THI scores improved significantly following zinc treatment in patients with NIHL associated tinnitus. However, no improvements in objective hearing parameters were observed.

Keywords
Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL)
Tinnitus
Zinc

 

[grate_biff]

Zinc oral supplementation elevated serum zinc levels, especially in younger patients. THI scores improved significantly following zinc treatment in patients with NIHL associated tinnitus. However, no improvements in objective hearing parameters were observed.

Smells placebo!