ARUP's Laboratory Test Directory

Copper, Serum : 0020096

Mnemonic: COPPER

Methodology: Inductively Coupled Plasma/Mass Spectrometry
Performed: Mon-Sat
Reported: 1-3 days
Specimen Required: Collect:  One 6 mL royal blue (no additive), or royal blue EDTA.

Transport:  2 mL serum or plasma at 20-25°C. (Min: 0.5 mL) Submit specimen in an ARUP Trace Element-Free Transport Tube (ARUP supply #43116).

Remarks:  Centrifuge and pour off serum or plasma into an ARUP Trace Element-Free Transport Tube ASAP. Do not allow serum or plasma to remain on cells.

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

Stability:  If the specimen is drawn and stored in the appropriate container, the trace element values do not change with time.
Reference Interval:
 
Age Male Female
0 up to 6 months 20-70 µg/dL 20-70 µg/dL
7 months-18 years 90-190 µg/dL 90-190 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
 
 

 

 

 
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