Laboratory: Clinical Biochemistry  (SPECIAL CHEMISTRY)
Test Name:
COPPER - (P)
Test Code: COP
Clinical Information:
Test Indications:  This test is used in diagnosis of Wilson disease, Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC).
 
Hypercupremia is found in PBC, PSC, hemochromatosis, malignant diseases (including leukemia), thyrotoxicosis, and various infections. Serum copper concentrations are also elevated in patients taking contraceptives or estrogens and during pregnancy. Since the gastrointestinal (GI) tract effectively excludes excess copper, it is the GI tract that is most affected by copper ingestion. Increased serum concentration does not, by itself, indicate copper toxicity.
 
Testing for copper is available to gastroenterologists, general and bariatric surgeons.
Collection Devices:
Specimen Required:


Plasma: 1.0 mL
Pediatric Plasma: 0.5 mL

Collection Information: If copper and zinc are ordered together, only one specimen should be collected as these trace elements measured together and one tube would be sufficient.
Special Processing: Separate and aliquot plasma in one of the following tubes for transport:
- Grenier Bio-One Tube vacuette secondary multiplex; 13 x 75 mm with white screw cap (VWR #89423-412)
- Sarstedt Screw cap tube 13 x 75 mm, round base with write screw cap (#60.504.021)
Avoid hemolysis - hemolyzed samples result in falsely elevated results
Specimen Stability: 
Ambient: 22 days
Refrigerated: 14 months
Frozen: At least 14 months
Referral:
Plasma: 1.0 mL
Pediatric Plasma: 0.5 mL

Shipping & Storage: Store and ship refrigerated or frozen. 
Testing Laboratory (MB): Send specimen to St. Boniface Hospital – Clinical Biochemistry
Requisition:
Reference Values:
Gender Age Reference Interval
All 0 – 6 months 200-700 µg/L 3.1-11.0 µmol/L
All 7 m – 12 y 800-1900 µg/L 12.6-29.9 µmol/L
Female ≥13 y 800-1550 µg/L 12.6-24.4 µmol/L
Female Pregnancy at Term 1180-3020 µg/L 18.6-47.6 µmol/L
Male ≥13 y 700-1400 µg/L 11.0-22.0 µmol/L







Copper deficiency in adult is defined at levels <508 µg/L or <8.0 µmol/L
Method of Analysis: ICP-MS/MS at St. Boniface Hospital (Laboratory Developed Test)
Availability:
Within 1 Week
See Also:
More Information: