ARUP's Laboratory Test Directory

Copper, Serum : 0020096

Mnemonic: COPPER

Methodology: Quantitative Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry
Performed: Mon-Sat
Reported: 1-3 days
Specimen Required: Patient Prep: Diet, medication, and nutritional supplements may introduce interfering substances. Patients should be encouraged to discontinue nutritional supplements, vitamins, minerals, and non-essential over-the-counter medications (upon the advice of their physician).

Collect: Royal blue (no additive or EDTA).

Specimen Preparation: Centrifuge; do not allow serum or plasma to remain on cells. Transfer 2 mL serum or plasma to an ARUP Trace Element-Free Transport Tube (ARUP supply #43116). Available online through eSupply using ARUP Connect™ or contact ARUP Client Services at (800) 522-2787. (Min: 0.5 mL)

Storage/Transport Temperature: Room temperature.

Unacceptable Conditions: Separator tubes and specimens that are not separated from the red cells or clot within 6 hours.

Stability (collection to initiation of testing): If the specimen is drawn and stored in the appropriate container, the trace element values do not change with time.
Reference Interval:
Effective November 14, 2011
 
Age Male Female
0-10 years 75-153 µg/dL 75-153 µg/dL
11 years-12 years 64-132 µg/dL 64-132 µg/dL
13 years-18 years 57-129 µg/dL 57-129 µg/dL
19 years and older 70-140 µg/dL 80-155 µg/dL

Interpretive Data: Serum copper may be elevated with infection, inflammation, stress, copper supplementation, oral contraceptives, and pregnancy.  Concentrations are 2-3 times normal in the third trimester of pregnancy.  Copper may be lowered with corticosteroids, zinc, malnutrition, and malabsorption.
Note: Elevated results from noncertified trace element-free tubes may be due to contamination.  Elevated concentrations of trace elements in serum should be confirmed with a second specimen collected in a trace element-free tube, such as royal blue sterile tube (no additive).
CPT Code(s): 82525
Cross References: Cu (Copper, Serum), Cu, Plasma (Copper, Serum), CUS (Copper, Serum)
 
 

 

 

 
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