Yes I have hasimoto's autoimmune disease. I am taking zinc to aid in stomach acid formation, i was taking a zinc/copper to balance out the both minerals as well, i might have a slight candida infection(due to 5 months of antibiotics a few yrs back). I have tried: Zinc picolinate, gluconate, amino acid chelate. I guess there are other zinc's out there that i havent tried that might not give me a headache and feel agitated, if you have suggestions i am up for it.

You may have already visited sites like these about Hashimoto's: http://www.baumancollege.org/Articles/hashimotos-article.html

Hv answered more on Hashimoto's support: http://curezone.org/forums/fm.asp?i=1655388

As for the Zinc, do you eat foods believed to be high in Zinc content? I don't like oysters myself, but you may try them, if not already, to get a food source of Zinc rather than a supplement isolate.

Have you tried Zinc Acetate or Gluconate? The Zinc Acetate version is in Lozenges usually, you may tolerate those well. Any local store will carry them, but I'd avoid any fake sugar ones. You can find Zinc Acetate in some chewing gums, astringent ointments, or lotions.

As always, avoid Zinc Oxide and many other Oxide mineral supplements.

Antibiotic use definitely affects flora and the internal physiology of the human body. What did you take the antibiotics for during the 5 months?