ARUP's Laboratory Test Directory
| 0020461: Copper, Urine |
| Test Mnemonic: COPPER U | |
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Methodology: Inductively Coupled Plasma/Mass Spectrometry
Performed: Mon-Sat Reported: 1-3 days |
| Specimen Required: | |
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Collect: 24-hour or random urine collection. Specimen must be collected in a plastic container and should be refrigerated during collection. ARUP studies indicate that refrigeration of urine alone, during and after collection, preserves specimens adequately, if tested within 14 days of collection.
Transport: 10 mL aliquot from a well-mixed collection at 2-8°C (Min: 5 mL). Submit specimen in two ARUP Trace Element-Free Transport Tubes (ARUP supply #43116). Pediatric Collection/Transport: 5 mL aliquot from a well-mixed collection at 2-8°C. Submit specimen in an ARUP Trace Element-Free Transport Tube (ARUP supply #43116). Remarks: Record total volume and collection time interval on transport tube and on test request form. Unacceptable Conditions: Urine collected within 48 hours after administration of a gadolinium (Gd) containing contrast media (may occur with MRI studies). Acid preserved urine. Stability: If the specimen is collected and stored in the appropriate container, the trace element values do not change with time. |
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| Reference Interval: | |||||||||||||||||||
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| Interpretive Data: | |
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Individuals with symptomatic Wilson disease usually excrete more than 100 µg copper per day. Other conditions associated with elevated urine copper include cholestatic liver disease, proteinuria, some medications, and contaminated specimens. Although random specimens may contain diagnostic information, a 24-hour collection is a more consistent indicator of copper urine. |
| Note: | |
| Refer to Copper-Ceruloplasmin Index (Copper Free) (0025079) for Wilson disease screening test. |
| CPT Code(s): | |
| 82525 |