Copper - plasma/serum

DISCLAIMER: This link was displayed at 22:09:09 03/04/2026 and expires on 08/04/2026 if printed.

Go to http://testguide.adhb.govt.nz/EGuide/ for more information.

Plasma/Serum
Test performed by: LabPLUS Trace Metals

Navy top tube preferred

Information about contamination of trace element specimens

Specimen Collection
2 mL Trace Metal Plasma (Preferred)
If trace metal tubes are not available then the following tubes are acceptable:

2 mL Heparin Plasma
2 mL Plain Blood
Serum samples are not suitable if zinc is also requested

2 mL SST Blood
Serum samples are not suitable if zinc is also requested

0.5 mL Paediatric Micro-heparin Plasma
2 mL Adult PST Plasma
0.5 mL Paediatric Micro-PST Plasma
Reference Intervals
Units: umol/L

Reference range:

0 to 1year old: 6.3 - 26.8

1 yr to <11year old: 12.6 - 28.3

11yr and older: 11.8 - 22.8

Uncertainty of Measurement: 10%

Turnaround Time: 2 weeks
Test performed on weekdays.

Assay Method
Principle : Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS)
Instrument : PlasmaQuant MS Elite

Diagnostic Use and Interpretation
This test measures total plasma copper. 95% of plasma copper is bound to the enzyme ceruloplasmin. Total serum copper concentrations are decreased concomitantly with ceruloplasmin in most patients with Wilson's disease.   The free copper fraction in plasma is increased in Wilson's disease, leading to increased urine copper in this condition. The free copper fraction in plasma cannot be reliably measured.
Decreased plasma copper concentrations are also found in cystic fibrosis, nephrotic syndrome and other conditions which reduce serum protein concentrations. It has no diagnostic value in these conditions.

Increased in pregnancy (up to 45 umol/L) and oral contraceptive use. Also increased in association with inflammatory disorders, as ceruloplasmin is a positive acute phase protein.

Copper deficiency is extremely rare. It presents with anaemia, neutropaenia and myelopathy with sensory ataxia. Causes of copper deficiency include gastric surgery, malabsorption, excessive zinc ingestion, and the rare Menke's kinky hair disease.

Reference: Kumar N. Copper deficiency myelopathy (Human Swayback). Mayo Clin Proc 2006;81(10):1371-84.

Diagnostic Use and Interpretation
Contact Information
The chemical pathology team can be reached via email: chemicalpathologist@adhb.govt.nz or via Lablink (09) 307 4949 ext 22000 or 09-3078995

Emails will receive priority attention from the on-call chemical pathologist. Include the patients NHI.

After-hours: contact Lablink (Auckland City Hospital ext. 22000 or 09-3078995) or hospital operator for on duty staff after hours .

Dr Samarina Musaad (Clinical Lead) : SamarinaM@adhb.govt.nz ext. 22402
Dr Cam Kyle : CampbellK@adhb.govt.nz    ext 22052
Dr Weldon Chiu : WeldonC@adhb.govt.nz    ext. 23427
Dr Campbell Heron : CHeron@adhb.govt.nz    ext. 23427
Dr Sakunthala Jayasinghe Saku.Jayasinghe@adhb.govt.nz
Dr Owen Yi WenyiYi@adhb.govt.nz

Last updated at 11:42:03 16/01/2026