Examinations
Examinations
Copper is an essential mineral found in many enzymes. It plays a crucial role in hemoglobin synthesis, redox reactions, connective tissue formation, melanin production, and nervous system function.
Sources of Copper:
Copper is present in various foods, including nuts, chocolate, mushrooms, grains, certain seafood, liver, and dried fruits. Small amounts may enter drinking water from copper pipes and containers.
After being absorbed in the intestines, copper binds to proteins, transforms into a non-toxic form, and is transported to the liver, where it is stored. When needed, it is distributed throughout the body via ceruloplasmin, a transport protein. In circulation, 95% of copper is bound to ceruloplasmin, while 5% is associated with albumin. A small amount of copper exists in free form in the blood. When copper levels are elevated, excess copper is excreted through bile and urine. Normally, only trace amounts of copper are found in urine.
Although copper deficiency or excess is rare, both conditions can have serious health consequences.
- Do not eat for 2-3 hours before the test; drinking still water is allowed.
- Refrain from smoking for at least 30 minutes before the test.
- Suspected Wilson-Konovalov disease (Kayser-Fleischer rings, liver pathology, and neurological disorders).
- Family history of copper metabolism disorders.
- Monitoring treatment of conditions associated with impaired copper metabolism.
- Suspected acute or chronic copper poisoning.
- Severe liver diseases.
Causes of Elevated Copper Levels in Blood:
- Wilson-Konovalov disease (significantly increased urinary copper excretion with reduced ceruloplasmin and low blood copper levels).
- Acute or chronic copper poisoning (elevated copper in urine and blood with normal ceruloplasmin levels).
- Biliary cirrhosis.
- Chronic active hepatitis.
- Nephrotic syndrome.
- Hypoceruloplasminemia.
- Alzheimer’s disease.
- Pellagra.