Copper
Label Mnemonic: CUS
Epic code: LAB2921
Downtime form: A-1a Doctor/Provider Orders - Pathology Core and Specialty Care Nursery
Commercial Mailout Laboratory
6240-8 RCP
356-8593
Specimen(s):
Blood
Specimen Instructions:
Separate from cells ASAP or within 2 hours of collection.

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.
Collection Medium:
Royal Blue K2 EDTA tube
Minimum:
Preferred Minimum: 2 mL plasma drawn in K2 EDTA royal blue tube
Rejection Criteria:
Specimens collected in containers other than specified. Specimens transported in containers other than specified.
Turn Around Time:
1-3 days upon receipt at reference laboratory
Reference Range:
    Age                    Male                Female
0-10 years           75.0-153.0 μg/dL     75.0-153.0 μg/dL
11 years-12 years    64.0-132.0 μg/dL     64.0-132.0 μg/dL
13 years-18 years    57.0-129.0 μg/dL     57.0-129.0 μg/dL
19 years and older   70.0-140.0 μg/dL     80.0-155.0 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.
Methodology:
Quantitative Inductively Coupled Plasma/Mass Spectrometry
CPT Code:
82525