ARUP's Laboratory Test Directory

Copper, Serum Free (Direct) : 0020596

Mnemonic: COPPER F

Methodology: Inductively Coupled Plasma/Mass Spectrometry
Performed: Tue, Thu, Sat
Reported: 1-4 days
Specimen Required: Collect:  One 6 mL royal blue (no additive).

Transport:  2.5 mL serum, frozen. (Min: 1.5 mL)  Submit specimen in an ARUP Trace Element Free Transport Tube.

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

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

Stability:  After separation from cells: Ambient: 8 hours; Refrigerated: 3 days; Frozen: 1 month
Reference Interval:
0.0-10.0 µg/L
Interpretive Data: Free copper (direct) is determined with serum ultrafiltrate.  Results may be elevated in Wilson disease or other conditions of copper overload.  Other tests used to diagnosis Wilson disease include serum ceruloplasmin, 24-hour urine copper, and hepatic copper.  Slit lamp examination for Kayser-Fleischer rings and genetic testing may also be helpful.
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
 
 

 

 

 
All ARUP Sites:        www.aruplab.com     ·     www.arupconsult.com     ·     www.arup.utah.edu     ·     www.childx.org     ·     www.utahblood.org