RBC Copper

Overview:

Most copper in serum is bound to ceruloplasmin, which behaves as an acute phase protein and rises with inflammation, infection, pregnancy and estrogen use. That means a serum copper can read normal or high while tissue stores are inadequate. Measuring copper inside red blood cells avoids much of that influence and reflects status over a longer period, since red cells circulate for around three months. It is used when copper deficiency is suspected despite a normal serum result, which can occur after some bariatric surgery, with malabsorption, and with high zinc intake, which competes with copper for absorption.

Categories:

Vitamins & Nutrients

Biomarkers:

1 biomarker