A single 60-mg iron dose decreases zinc absorption in lactating women

This study determined whether a single 60-mg dose of ferrous sulfate interferes with fractional zinc absorption (FZA) at 7-9 wk of lactation. In a crossover design, 5 exclusively breast-feeding women were given either a single 60-mg iron supplement or no supplement. FZA was measured by analyzing zinc stable isotope tracers (Zn-70 and Zn-67) in urine samples collected for 7 d after isotope dosing. A 0.7-mumol intravenous (IV) infusion of Zn-70 as ZnCl2 in saline was followed by a 0.03-mmol oral dose of Zn-67 as ZnCl2 given with a standardized meal. After a 7-d wash-out period, the supplement given was reversed and a second FZA measurement was taken. FZA was calculated from isotopic enrichments in urine measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Hemoglobin, plasma ferritin and transferrin receptor, and plasma 5'-nucleotidase, plasma zinc and erythrocyte zinc did not differ before the two measurements of zinc absorption. When women were given a single iron supplement, FZA was significantly lower, 21.7 +/- 1.7% compared with 26.9 +/- 2.6% when no supplement was given (P = 0.032). A single 60-mg iron dose significantly decreases FZA during early lactation.