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.
^ Back to top
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.
^ Back to top
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.
^ Back to top
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.
^ Back to top