Minerals & Metals
Copper Deficiency Test
Minerals & Metals
Copper is an essential trace element involved in energy production, iron metabolism, nervous system function, and connective tissue formation.
VAT-exempt medical service
A copper blood test measures the level of copper in your serum. Copper plays vital roles in energy production, iron metabolism, neurotransmitter synthesis, and the formation of connective tissue. This test helps determine whether your copper levels are deficient, elevated, or within the normal range, providing important information about nutritional status, liver function, and genetic disorders related to copper metabolism.
Testing copper is important when investigating suspected deficiency due to poor nutrition, digestive disorders, or excessive zinc supplementation, which interferes with copper absorption. It is also used to monitor copper overload in conditions such as Wilson's disease, to evaluate unexplained neurological symptoms, fatigue, or anaemia, and as part of a comprehensive liver function assessment.
What a high value can mean
Elevated copper may be seen in Wilson's disease, liver disease, or chronic inflammation. Because 90-95% of serum copper is bound to ceruloplasmin (a liver-derived protein), elevated ceruloplasmin from inflammation, pregnancy, or oestrogen use can cause misleading elevations in total copper. Persistently high copper should be further investigated.
What a low value can mean
Low copper can result from malnutrition, malabsorption, genetic disorders like Menkes disease, or long-term zinc supplementation. Low ceruloplasmin may also lead to low total copper even when bioavailable copper is adequate. Symptoms of copper deficiency include anaemia, fatigue, neurological issues, and weakened connective tissue.
No special preparation is required for this test. Bring valid ID to your appointment.
Order your test
Choose your test and pay online. Your lab referral is created straight away.
Give your sample
Visit any of our partner sampling locations. No appointment needed at most of them.
The lab analyses it
Your sample is analysed at an accredited Swedish laboratory.
Get your results
Your values appear in your account with reference ranges and an explanation of each marker.
90-95% of blood copper is bound to ceruloplasmin. Inflammation, pregnancy, or oestrogen use can raise ceruloplasmin and falsely elevate total copper readings. Measuring both gives a more accurate picture of your true copper status.
Yes. Zinc and copper compete for absorption in the gut. Long-term high-dose zinc supplementation can cause copper deficiency, which may lead to anaemia and neurological problems.
Wilson's disease is a rare genetic disorder in which the body cannot properly excrete copper, leading to toxic accumulation in the liver, brain, and other organs. It requires lifelong treatment and monitoring.