To measure the amount of ceruloplasmin in the blood; to help diagnose Wilson’s disease; sometimes to help identify other conditions associated with copper deficiencies
Ceruloplasmin
Ceruloplasmin
Nome formal
Ceruloplasmin
Este artigo foi revisto pela última vez em
Este artigo foi modificado pela última vez em 10 de Julho de 2017.
At a Glance
Why Get Tested?
When To Get Tested?
When you have jaundice, fatigue, abdominal pain, behavioral changes, tremors, or other symptoms that your doctor thinks may be due to Wilson’s disease or, rarely, to copper deficiency; at intervals when monitoring is recommended
Sample Required?
A blood sample drawn from a vein in your arm
Accordion Title
Common Questions
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How is it used?Ceruloplasmin is primarily ordered along with blood and/or urine copper tests to help diagnose Wilsons disease, an inherited disorder associated with decreased levels of ceruloplasmin 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.
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When is it ordered?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:
- anemia
- nausea, abdominal pain
- jaundice
- fatigue
- behavioral changes
- tremors
- difficulty walking and/or swallowing
- dystonia
Rarely, ceruloplasmin may also be ordered along with copper tests when your doctor suspects that you have a copper deficiency and periodically if monitoring is recommended.
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What does the test result mean?Low ceruloplasmin levels are not diagnostic of a specific condition and are usually evaluated along with copper tests.
Test results may include:
- If ceruloplasmin 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 ceruloplasmin levels as will up to 40% of those with hepatic symptoms.
- If ceruloplasmin 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 metabolize copper has the potential to affect blood ceruloplasmin and copper concentrations.
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Is there anything else I should know?Ceruloplasmin may be increased in a variety of circumstances where the test is not used as a clinical tool. These may include:
- Ceruloplasmin 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 estrogen, oral contraceptives, and medications such as carbamazepine, phenobarbital, and valproic acid.
Ceruloplasmin 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.
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Do I need to have a liver biopsy?If Wilsons disease is strongly suspected based upon blood, urine, and imaging test results, a liver biopsy may be performed to evaluate hepatic copper content.