ARUP's Laboratory Test Directory

Copper, Urine : 0020461

Mnemonic: COPPER U

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). High concentrations of iodine may interfere with elemental testing. Abstinence from iodine-containing medications or contrast agents for at least 1 month prior to collecting specimens for elemental testing is recommended.

Collect: 24-hour or random urine collection. Specimen must be collected in a plastic container. ARUP studies indicate that refrigeration of urine alone, during and after collection, preserves specimens adequately, if tested within 14 days of collection.

Specimen Preparation: Transfer an 8 mL aliquot from a well-mixed collection to ARUP Trace Element-Free Transport Tubes (ARUP supply #43116). Available online through eSupply using ARUP Connect™ or contact ARUP Client Services at (800) 522-2787. (Min: 1 mL) Record total volume and collection time interval on transport tube and on test request form.

Storage/Transport Temperature: Refrigerated. Also acceptable: Room temperature or frozen.

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 (collection to initiation of testing): Ambient: 1 week; Refrigerated: 2 weeks; Frozen: 1 year
Reference Interval:
 
Test Number Components Reference Interval
 Copper, Urine0.2-8.0 µg/dL
 Copper, Urine (24-hour)3-50 µg/d
 Creatinine, Urine - per 24h  
 
Age Male Female
3-8 years 140-700 mg/d 140-700 mg/d
9-12 years 300-1300 mg/d 300-1300 mg/d
13-17 years 500-2300 mg/d 400-1600 mg/d
18-50 years 1000-2500 mg/d 700-1600 mg/d
51-80 years 800-2100 mg/d 500-1400 mg/d
81 years and older 600-2000 mg/d 400-1300 mg/d
 Copper per gram of creatinineNo reference interval (µg/g crt)

Interpretive Data: 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
Cross References: Copper/Creatinine Ration, Urine (Copper, Urine), Cu (Copper, Urine), CUU (Copper, Urine)