The Ceruloplasmin test contains 1 test with 1 biomarker.
Description: Ceruloplasmin is a blood test that measures that amount of Ceruloplasmin in the blood’s serum. Ceruloplasmin, or Copper Oxide, is a protein that is created in the liver and is used to transport copper from the liver to the parts of the body that need it, including the blood.
Also Known As: Copper Oxide Test, Wilson’s Disease Test
Collection Method: Blood Draw
Specimen Type: Serum
Test Preparation: No preparation required
When is a Ceruloplasmin test ordered?
When somebody has symptoms that a health practitioner suspects are due to Wilson disease, a ceruloplasmin test may be ordered alone or in combination with blood and 24-hour urine copper testing.
What does a Ceruloplasmin blood test check for?
Ceruloplasmin is a copper-containing enzyme that aids in iron metabolism in the body. The level of ceruloplasmin in the blood is measured with this test.
Copper is a vital mineral that regulates iron metabolism, connective tissue creation, cellular energy production, and nervous system function. The intestines absorb it from meals and liquids, and it is subsequently transferred to the liver, where it is stored or used to make a variety of enzymes.
To make ceruloplasmin, the liver binds copper to a protein and then releases it into the bloodstream. Ceruloplasmin binds about 95 percent of the copper in the blood. As a result, the ceruloplasmin test can be performed in conjunction with one or more copper tests to assist diagnose Wilson disease, a genetic illness in which the liver, brain, and other organs store too much copper.
Lab tests often ordered with a Ceruloplasmin test:
Conditions where a Ceruloplasmin test is recommended:
- Wilson’s Disease
- Liver Diseases
How does my health care provider use a Ceruloplasmin test?
Wilson disease is a rare genetic ailment characterized by excessive copper accumulation in the liver, brain, and other organs, as well as low levels of ceruloplasmin. Ceruloplasmin testing is performed in conjunction with blood and/or urine copper assays to assist diagnosis Wilson disease.
Copper is a mineral that plays an important role in the human body. Ceruloplasmin binds about 95 percent of the copper in the blood. In an unbound state, just a minimal quantity of copper is present in the blood.
A ceruloplasmin test may be ordered in conjunction with a copper test to assist diagnose problems in copper metabolism, copper deficiency, or Menkes kinky hair syndrome, a rare genetic condition.
What do my Ceruloplasmin test results mean?
Ceruloplasmin levels are frequently tested in conjunction with copper testing because they are not indicative of a specific illness.
Wilson disease can be identified by low ceruloplasmin and blood copper levels, as well as high copper levels in the urine.
About 5% of persons with Wilson disease who have neurological symptoms, as well as up to 40% of those with hepatic symptoms, especially if they are critically unwell, will have normal ceruloplasmin levels.
The person tested may have a copper deficiency if ceruloplasmin, urine, and/or blood copper values are low.
Anything that affects the body's ability to metabolize copper or the supply of copper has the potential to impact blood ceruloplasmin and copper levels.
We advise having your results reviewed by a licensed medical healthcare professional for proper interpretation of your results.