Caeruloplasmin
At a Glance
Why Get Tested?
To measure the amount of caeruloplasmin in the blood; to help diagnose Wilsons disease; sometimes to help identify other conditions associated with copper deficiencies.
When to Get Tested?
When you have jaundice, fatigue, abdominal pain, behavioural changes, tremors, or other symptoms that your doctor thinks may be due to Wilsons disease or, rarely, to copper deficiency; at intervals when monitoring is recommended
Sample Required?
A blood sample drawn from a vein in your arm
The Test Sample
What is being tested?
This test measures the amount of caeruloplasmin in the blood. Caeruloplasmin is a copper-containing enzyme that plays a role in the bodys iron metabolism. Copper is an essential mineral that is absorbed into the body through diet. It is absorbed in the intestines and then transported to the liver, where it is stored or used in the production of a variety of enzymes. The liver binds copper to apocaeruloplasmin to produce caeruloplasmin and then releases it into the bloodstream. About 95% of the copper in the blood is bound to caeruloplasmin. Caeruloplasmin can be used with one or more copper tests to help diagnose Wilsons disease and evaluate copper metabolism.
How is the sample collected for testing?
A blood sample is obtained by inserting a needle into a vein in the arm.
Is any test preparation needed to ensure the quality of the sample?
No test preparation is needed.
The Test
How is it used?
Caeruloplasmin is primarily ordered along with blood and/or urine copper tests to help diagnose Wilsons disease, an inherited disorder associated with decreased levels of caeruloplasmin and excess storage of copper in the liver, brain, and other organs. Rarely, it may be ordered to help diagnose or differentiate between conditions associated with copper deficiencies.
When is it requested?
It is ordered along with copper tests when someone has signs and symptoms that the doctor suspects may be due to Wilsons disease such as:
- anaemia
- nausea, abdominal pain
- jaundice
- fatigue
- behavioral changes
- tremors
- difficulty walking and/or swallowing
- dystonia
Rarely, caeruloplasmin may also be ordered along with copper tests when your doctor suspects that you have a copper deficiency and periodically if monitoring is recommended.
What does the test result mean?
Low caeruloplasmin levels are not diagnostic of a specific condition and are usually evaluated along with copper tests.
Test results may include:
- If caeruloplasmin and blood copper concentrations are decreased, urine copper levels are increased, then the patient may have Wilsons disease.
- About 5% of the patients with Wilsons disease who have neurological symptoms will have normal caeruloplasmin levels as will up to 40% of those with hepatic symptoms.
- If caeruloplasmin and urine and/or blood copper concentrations are low, then the patient may have a copper deficiency.
- Anything that interferes with the supply of copper or with the bodys ability to metabolise copper has the potential to affect blood caeruloplasmin and copper concentrations.
Is there anything else I should know?
Caeruloplasmin may be increased in a variety of circumstances where the test is not used as a clinical tool. These may include:
- Caeruloplasmin is an acute phase reactant. It is frequently elevated when someone has inflammation, severe infection, tissue damage, and may be increased with some cancers.
- It may be increased during pregnancy and with the use of oestrogen, oral contraceptives, and medications such as carbamazepine, phenobarbital, and valproic acid.
Caeruloplasmin is not a routine test. Unless your doctor suspects that you have Wilsons disease or a problem with your copper metabolism, it is likely that you will not ever have this test performed.
Common Questions
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Article Sources
NOTE: This article is based on research that utilizes the sources cited here as well as the collective experience of the Lab Tests Online Editorial Review Board. This article is periodically reviewed by the Editorial Board and may be updated as a result of the review. Any new sources cited will be added to the list and distinguished from the original sources used.
