Quiz Form

Question Date: 06/07/2023

Question: A 69-year-old man with myelopathy and pancytopenia is found to have copper deficiency. Of the following supplements on this patient?s medication list, which should he specifically be instructed to stop taking?

Options:

• Calcium
• Folate
• Vitamin D
• Zinc

Correct Answer: Zinc

Explaination: Excessive zinc intake can precipitate copper deficiency, resulting in myeloneuropathy. Management includes both copper supplementation and discontinuation of zinc supplements

Reference: Page 90, Goodman BP. Metabolic and toxic causes of myelopathy. Continuum (Minneap Minn). 2015 Feb;21(1 Spinal Cord Disorders):84-99. doi: 10.1212/01.CON.0000461086.79241.3b. PMID: 25651219.