Ordering Recommendations

Useful in the assessment of deficiency or overload. Measures both protein-bound and free forms of copper in serum or plasma.

Orderable SIM Number(s)

COPPER, SERUM (LAB817)

Synonyms

  • Cu, Serum
  • Cu, Plasma
  • Copper Plasma
  • Cu
  • CUS
  • Kaiser Fleischer Ring
  • total blood copper level
  • Wilson disease
  • LAB817

ARUP Test Code

0020096

Patient Preparation

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), Royal blue (K2EDTA), or Royal blue (NaHep).

Specimen Preparation

Separate from cells ASAP or within 2 hours of collection. 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. Also acceptable: Refrigerated or frozen.

Unacceptable Conditions

Specimens that are not separated from the red cells or clot within 2 hours. Specimens collected in containers other than specified. Specimens transported in containers other than specified.

Stability (from collection to initiation)

Ambient: Indefinitely; Refrigerated: Indefinitely; Frozen: Indefinitely

Special Handling Instructions

**Aliquot in a trace element-free transport tube (blue capped transport tube).*



 

Additional Technical Information

Reference Interval

Age
Male
Female
0-10 years75.0-153.0 µg/dL75.0-153.0 µg/dL
11 years-12 years64.0-132.0 µg/dL64.0-132.0 µg/dL
13 years-18 years57.0-129.0 µg/dL57.0-129.0 µg/dL
19 years and older70.0-140.0 µg/dL80.0-155.0 µg/dL

Interpretive Data

Elevated results may be due to skin or collection-related contamination, including the use of a noncertified metal-free collection/transport tube. If contamination concerns exist due to elevated levels of serum/plasma copper, confirmation with a second specimen collected in a certified metal-free tube is recommended.

Serum copper may be elevated with infection, inflammation, stress, and copper supplementation. In females, elevated copper may also be caused by oral contraceptives and pregnancy (concentrations may be elevated up to 3 times normal during the third trimester).

Serum copper may be reduced by use of corticosteroids and zinc and by malnutrition or malabsorption.

This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by ARUP Laboratories. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. This test was performed in a CLIA certified laboratory and is intended for clinical purposes.

CPT Codes

82525

Billable SIM Number(s)

3018252501
 

LOINC

  • 5631-7
Overview

Ordering Recommendations

Useful in the assessment of deficiency or overload. Measures both protein-bound and free forms of copper in serum or plasma.

Orderable SIM Number(s)

COPPER, SERUM (LAB817)

Synonyms

  • Cu, Serum
  • Cu, Plasma
  • Copper Plasma
  • Cu
  • CUS
  • Kaiser Fleischer Ring
  • total blood copper level
  • Wilson disease
  • LAB817

ARUP Test Code

0020096
Specimen

Patient Preparation

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), Royal blue (K2EDTA), or Royal blue (NaHep).

Specimen Preparation

Separate from cells ASAP or within 2 hours of collection. 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. Also acceptable: Refrigerated or frozen.

Unacceptable Conditions

Specimens that are not separated from the red cells or clot within 2 hours. Specimens collected in containers other than specified. Specimens transported in containers other than specified.

Stability (from collection to initiation)

Ambient: Indefinitely; Refrigerated: Indefinitely; Frozen: Indefinitely

Special Handling Instructions

**Aliquot in a trace element-free transport tube (blue capped transport tube).*



 

Additional Technical Information

Interpretive

Reference Interval

Age
Male
Female
0-10 years75.0-153.0 µg/dL75.0-153.0 µg/dL
11 years-12 years64.0-132.0 µg/dL64.0-132.0 µg/dL
13 years-18 years57.0-129.0 µg/dL57.0-129.0 µg/dL
19 years and older70.0-140.0 µg/dL80.0-155.0 µg/dL

Interpretive Data

Elevated results may be due to skin or collection-related contamination, including the use of a noncertified metal-free collection/transport tube. If contamination concerns exist due to elevated levels of serum/plasma copper, confirmation with a second specimen collected in a certified metal-free tube is recommended.

Serum copper may be elevated with infection, inflammation, stress, and copper supplementation. In females, elevated copper may also be caused by oral contraceptives and pregnancy (concentrations may be elevated up to 3 times normal during the third trimester).

Serum copper may be reduced by use of corticosteroids and zinc and by malnutrition or malabsorption.

This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by ARUP Laboratories. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. This test was performed in a CLIA certified laboratory and is intended for clinical purposes.

Coding

CPT Codes

82525

Billable SIM Number(s)

3018252501
 

LOINC

  • 5631-7