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Merck Manual
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Professional /
Nutritional Disorders /
Mineral Deficiency and Toxicity /
... /
Chromium Deficiency /
IN THIS TOPIC

Reference

OTHER TOPICS IN THIS CHAPTER

Mineral Deficiency and Toxicity
Overview of Minerals
Chromium Deficiency
Chromium Toxicity
Copper Deficiency
Copper Toxicity
Wilson Disease
Fluorine Deficiency
Fluorine Toxicity
Iodine Deficiency
Iodine Toxicity
Iron Deficiency
Iron Toxicity
Manganese Deficiency
Manganese Toxicity
Molybdenum Deficiency
Molybdenum Toxicity
Selenium Deficiency
Selenium Toxicity
Zinc Deficiency
Zinc Toxicity

Test your knowledge

Copper
An 8-month-old male infant is brought to the office by his mother because he has had difficulty gaining weight. The patient is in the < 5th percentile for height and weight. Review of medical records shows that he has not met several developmental milestones. Physical examination shows coarse hair that is sparse. Hypotonia is also noted. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis? 

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Chromium Deficiency

By

Larry E. Johnson

, MD, PhD, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

Last full review/revision May 2020| Content last modified May 2020
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Only 1 to 3% of biologically active trivalent chromium (Cr) is absorbed. Normal plasma levels are 0.05 to 0.50 mcg/L (1.0 to 9.6 nmol/L). However, it is not clear whether chromium should be considered an essential (required) trace element (1).

Chromium potentiates insulin activity; however, it is not known whether chromium picolinate supplementation is beneficial in diabetes mellitus. Patients with diabetes should not take chromium supplements unless use is supervised by a diabetes specialist. Chromium supplements do not enhance muscle size or strength.

Patients receiving long-term total parenteral nutrition rarely develop chromium deficiency. Symptoms respond to trivalent chromium 150 to 250 mg.

(See also Overview of Mineral Deficiency and Toxicity.)

Reference

  • 1. Vincent JB: New evidence against chromium as an essential trace element. J Nutr 147(12):2212–2219, 2017. doi:10.3945/jn.117.255901.

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Overview of Minerals
Chromium Toxicity
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Chromium Chromium
Chromium Toxicity Chromium Toxicity
Overview of Minerals Overview of Minerals

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