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Ceruloplasmin
Formal name: Ceruloplasmin Related tests: Copper
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The Test
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How is it used?When is it ordered?What does the test result mean?Is there anything else I should know?
Ceruloplasmin is primarily ordered along with blood and/or urine copper tests to help diagnose Wilson’s 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.
It is ordered along with copper tests when someone has signs and symptoms that the doctor suspects may be due to Wilson’s 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. What does the test result mean?NOTE: This test has no single number that identifies an abnormal result.
Your lab report (see a sample report) should include
a range of numbers (reference range) that identifies what is expected for you based on
your age, sex, and the method used in that laboratory. You can find more information
about expected results at Reference Ranges
and What They Mean. Lab Tests Online strongly recommends that you discuss the meaning of your test results with your doctor.
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 Wilson’s disease.
About 5% of the patients with Wilson’s 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 body’s ability to metabolize copper has the potential to affect blood ceruloplasmin and copper concentrations.
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 Wilson’s disease or a problem with your copper metabolism, it is likely that you will not ever have this test performed. |
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This article was last reviewed on
November 6, 2007.
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