Copper Blood Test

Your doctor may order this test if you present signs of copper deficiency or toxicity. 

The following signs and symptoms indicate copper toxicity:

• Vomiting 
• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhoea
• Jaundice

In severe cases, it may lead to:

• Muscle pain
• Liver damage
• Heart diseases
• Heart failure 

Severe copper toxicity can also affect the brain and lead to death

Copper deficiency manifests in the form of:

• Anaemia 
• Paleness of the skin
• Jaundice
• Neutropenia, i.e., reduction in the normal levels of neutrophils, a type of white blood cell
• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhoea or vomiting
• Liver damage 
• Osteoporosis (a condition characterised by weak and brittle bones)
• Loss of pigment from hair 

Additionally, a copper blood test is suggested to individuals who are suspected of Wilson disease or Menke’s disease. Both these are genetic conditions marked by fluctuations in copper levels in body. While Wilson’s disease leads to copper accumulation in body, Menkes disease is associated with copper deficiency. 

Some symptoms of Wilson’s disease include:

• Anaemia
• Fatigue
• Nausea and vomiting
• Jaundice
• Anxiety
• Muscle stiffness
• Speech abnormalities

Symptoms of Menkes disease are:

• Brittle hair
• Loss of muscle tone
• Sagging skin
• Irritability
• Slow mental and physical development
• Seizures

No special preparations are needed for this test. However, your doctor may ask you to stop taking some medicines, drugs, herbs, and supplements that affect the test results, for e.g., phenobarbital and carbamazepine two antiepileptic drugs increase the level of copper in the blood. 

Also, he/she may advise you to stop taking certain foods before the test, which may interfere with the results of this test. 

Do not stop taking any of your prescribed medicines without consulting your doctor.

A doctor or laboratory technician will collect a blood sample from a vein in your arms with a sterile needle. 

Some temporary discomforts associated with blood tests include bleeding, bruising and dizziness. However, most of these symptoms will go away on their own. Talk to your doctor if you notice an infection or if a problem persists.

Results of this test may vary depending on the gender, age, current health status and medical history of the individual, and method used for the test. Consult your doctor for the appropriate interpretation of test results. 

Normal results:

The normal serum copper levels range between 70 and 140 µg/dL. 

Abnormal results:

Abnormal results of the copper blood test indicate the following:

• Lower than normal levels of serum copper may be a sign of:
  • Problems associated with the absorption of copper
  • Kidney disease
  • Malnourishment
• Higher than normal levels of copper may be due to:
  • Copper toxicity due to excess intake of copper
  • Liver disease
  • Infection
  • Anaemia
  • Hyperthyroidism, i.e., overactive thyroid
  • Hypothyroidism, i.e., underactive thyroid
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Lymphoma
  • Leukaemia

Usually, a total blood copper test is enough to assess the copper levels in body. However, if the results are not clear, the doctor may advise a 24-hour urine copper test.

Disclaimer: All results must be clinically correlated with the patient’s complaints to make a complete and accurate diagnosis. The above information is provided from a purely educational point of view and is in no way a substitute for medical advice by a qualified doctor.