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Copper
Test Code: CU
Tube type: Trace Element
Other acceptable tube types
SST (yellow top), lithium heparin (green top)
Special instructions
None
Reference Range
Up to 4 months: 1.4 - 7.2
4 - 6 months: 3.9 - 17.3
>6 months: 11.0 - 25.0
Sent away
to Southmead Hospital (NBT), Bristol
Units
µmol/L
Linked to
Caeruloplasmin
Turnaround Time
9
days
Department: Biochemistry
Clinical Application
Copper is an essential trace element and is incorporated into multiple metalloenzymes responsible for iron and catecholamine metabolism, haemoglobin and collagen synthesis. Copper is an acute phase reactant and rises (alongside its carrier protein, caeruloplasmin) in response to infection, injury, chronic inflammation and in the presence of steroid hormones (including in pregnancy, oestrogen therapy and with some contraceptive pills).
Consider appropriateness of copper measurement where CRP is significantly elevated (e.g. if CRP 100-200, there may be a 30% increase in serum copper concentration). Copper results should be interpreted alongside albumin and CRP results.
Copper measurement is useful in the investigation of suspected Wilson's disease, e.g. where ALT is persistently elevated. This can be requested as part of a non-invasive liver screen where there is family history and/or signs of Wilson’s disease in those <45 years of age. It should NOT be requested as part of a NILS in older patients.
Copper should be measured in conjunction with serum measurement of caeruloplasmin. Urine copper excretion may need to be measured if serum copper/caeruloplasmin is abnormal/equivocal.
Webpage updated: November 2024.
