Copper
| Order Code: | CUS |
Specimen:
Blood
Collection Medium:
 |
| Royal Blue K2 EDTA tube |
Minimum:
Preferred Minimum: 2 mL plasma drawn in K2 EDTA royal blue tube
Rejection Criteria:
Separator tubes and specimens that are not separated from the red cells
or clot within 6 hours of blood draw.
Turn Around
Time:
1-3 days upon receipt at reference laboratory
Reference Range:
Age Male Female
0-10 years 75-153 μg/dL 75-153 μg/dL
11 years-12 years 64-132 μg/dL 64-132 μg/dL
13 years-18 years 57-129 μg/dL 57-129 μg/dL
19 years and older 70-140 μg/dL 80-155 μg/dL
Test
Limitations:
Serum copper may be elevated with infection, inflammation, stress,
copper supplementation, oral contraceptives, and pregnancy.
Concentrations are 2-3 times normal in the third trimester of
pregnancy. Copper may be lowered with corticosteroids, zinc,
malnutrition, and malabsorption.
Methodology:
Quantitative Inductively Coupled Plasma/Mass Spectrometry
Instructions:
Centrifuge and pour off plasma into reference laboratory Trace
Element-Free Transport Tube ASAP. Do not allow plasma to remain on
cells.
Diet, medication, and nutritional supplements may introduce interfering
substances. Patients should be encouraged to discontinue nutritional
supplements, vitamins, minerals, nonessential over-the-counter
medications (upon the advice of their physician).
Royal Blue K2 EDTA tubes are available from Specimen Control, 6240
RCP.
Transport
Instructions:
Place coolant packs on top of specimen in styrofoam container.
CPT Code:
82525