CERULOPLASMIN?

I have never heard of it.  My doctor ordered this last week while working up my elevated liver enzymes.  It was right at the bottom of the normal level, 20, the normal range is 20 - 60 mg/dL.  Combined with my high liver enzymes is this something to be concerned about?  I am waiting for the rest of my results to come back before I talk to my doctor.

I looked it up on www.labtestsonline.org

Why Get Tested?

To measure the amount of ceruloplasmin in the blood; to help diagnose Wilson disease; sometimes to help identify other conditions associated with copper deficiencies

When to Get Tested?

When you have jaundice, fatigue, abdominal pain, behavioral changes, tremors, or other symptoms that your doctor thinks may be due to Wilson disease or, rarely, to copper deficiency; at intervals when monitoring is recommended
 

What is being tested?

This test measures the amount of ceruloplasmin in the blood. Ceruloplasmin is a copper-containing enzyme that plays a role in the body's iron metabolism. Copper is an essential mineral that is absorbed into the body through the diet. It is absorbed in the intestines and then transported to the liver, where it is stored or used to produce a variety of enzymes. The liver binds copper to apoceruloplasmin to produce ceruloplasmin and then releases it into the bloodstream. About 95% of the copper in the blood is bound to ceruloplasmin. Because of this, the ceruloplasmin test can be used along with one or more copper tests to help diagnose Wilson disease and evaluate copper metabolism.
 

 

cerulaplasmin needs to be done at the same time as a coppear level. If they are both low then a 24 hour urine is necessary.  It can be a simple copper deficiency or it can be something called Wilsons Disease which is a liver disorder.

make sure you get the proper testing as Wilsons disease needs treatment as it can cause complications if not treated promptly.  You should also go to an Opthamologist and have him check your eyes for copper rings around your eyes a sign of Wilsons disease.

again, this is something usually treated by a hematologist - if it is simple copper deficiency, you can treat with supplements.  You also need to get your zinc tested because copper and zinc directly affect each other

I don't think it's Wilsons as it seems to show up in younger people, plus it's a genetic disease I don't think I have any genetic disorders.  When I was going through infertility treatment they did a lot of genetic testing on me.
I haven't had my cooper level's tested recently but when I did they were normal.  My zinc was normal, too.
I'll just have to wait and see what the liver doctor says.

I am glad you are seeing a specialist for this - usually a gastonterologist.  You might want to get your copper levels checked now as the liver specialist will end up running them anyway which could delay your treatment.  A simple blood test before hand could give him more answers right on the spot.

Cerulaplasmin is a form of copper