Copper
Code:
CU
Sample Type:
Blood in a Trace Element Tube (Dark Blue Top)
Alternatively, a plain glass tube (White Top) is acceptable.
Minimum volume: 1 mL
Ref Ranges/Units:
<4 months 1.4 – 7.2 μmol/L
4 to 6 months 3.9 – 17.3 μmol/L
6 months to 9 years 11.1 – 27.4 μmol/L
9 to 13 years 11.2 – 23.7 μmol/L
13 to 19 years 11.0 – 22.5 μmol/L
>19 years 11.0 – 25.1 μmol/L
Turnaround:
Referral test – within 2 weeks
Special Precautions/Comments:
Avoid contamination by dust.
Additional Information:
Copper is a trace-element which is essential for the activity of several enzymes. The majority (80-90%) of circulating copper is bound to caeruloplasmin, which is usually measured in the first instance.
Low serum copper may be seen in Wilson’s disease, an inherited disease where caeruloplasmin is not produced. As a result, excess copper is deposited in tissues such as the liver, causing damage. Please note serum copper may be normal in Wilson’s disease and therefore should NOT be used as a screen for this condition – please request caeruloplasmin as a first-line screen and 24 hour urine copper for further investigation.
Decreased copper may also be indicative of malnutrition, malabsorption, long-term total parental nutrition or excess zinc or iron ingestion. Low serum copper is also seen in the rare neurodegenerative disorder Menke’s disease.
High serum copper may be seen in inflammatory responses due to caeruloplasmin’s role as an acute phase protein. It is also increased in haemochromatosis and in cholestatic liver disease such as primary biliary cirrhosis and primary sclerosing cholangitis.
South of Tyne & Wear Pathology Centre
