What is a Serum Ceruloplasmin test?
This test measures the amount of ceruloplasmin in your blood. Ceruloplasmin is a protein made mainly by the liver. It carries most of the copper in your blood and helps your body use and regulate copper.
Copper is an essential mineral that your body needs for several important functions, including energy production, iron metabolism, connective tissue formation, and normal function of the brain and nervous system.
Ceruloplasmin plays an important role in maintaining normal copper balance. Abnormal ceruloplasmin levels may occur when the body has problems with copper metabolism, liver function, or copper transport.
A serum ceruloplasmin test can provide important information to help evaluate copper metabolism and investigate certain liver, neurological, and inherited disorders, particularly Wilson disease.
Other names: Ceruloplasmin blood test, serum ceruloplasmin, copper-binding protein, ferroxidase
What is it used for?
A Serum Ceruloplasmin test may be used to help:
Evaluate Wilson disease
Wilson disease is an inherited disorder in which the body cannot properly eliminate excess copper. Copper can accumulate in the liver, brain, eyes, and other tissues.
Ceruloplasmin is often low in people with Wilson disease, although not every patient with Wilson disease has a low result.
Investigate abnormal copper levels
The test may be used together with blood and urine copper measurements to determine whether the body is handling copper normally.
Evaluate liver disease
Abnormal ceruloplasmin levels may occur in certain liver disorders, particularly when copper metabolism is also affected.
Investigate neurological symptoms
Abnormal copper metabolism can sometimes cause neurological or psychiatric symptoms. Ceruloplasmin may be included as part of the evaluation when Wilson disease is suspected.
Why do I need a Serum Ceruloplasmin test?
You may need a Serum Ceruloplasmin test if:
Your healthcare provider suspects Wilson disease.
You have unexplained liver abnormalities or liver disease.
You have neurological symptoms for which Wilson disease is being considered.
You have abnormal blood or urine copper results.
You have a family history of Wilson disease.
Your healthcare provider wants to investigate an abnormality in copper metabolism.
What happens during a Serum Ceruloplasmin test?
A Serum Ceruloplasmin test uses a sample of your blood.
A healthcare professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm using a small needle. The blood is collected into a test tube or vial and sent to the laboratory for analysis.
You may feel a little sting when the needle goes in or out. The procedure usually takes less than five minutes.
Will I need to do anything to prepare for the test?
Usually, no special preparation or fasting is required for a ceruloplasmin blood test.
However, follow any specific instructions provided by your healthcare provider or laboratory.
Tell your healthcare provider about any medicines, vitamins, or mineral supplements you are taking, particularly products containing copper.
Are there any risks to the test?
There is very little risk to having a blood test.
You may have slight pain, bruising, or tenderness at the site where the needle was inserted. These symptoms usually go away quickly.
What do the results mean?
The meaning of your ceruloplasmin result depends on your age, symptoms, liver function, nutritional status, pregnancy status, and results of other tests, particularly copper measurements.
A low level of Ceruloplasmin
A low ceruloplasmin level may occur when the body cannot properly incorporate copper into ceruloplasmin or when ceruloplasmin production is reduced.
Possible causes include:
Wilson disease
Severe liver disease
Severe malnutrition
Copper deficiency
Certain inherited disorders affecting copper metabolism
Protein-losing conditions
A low result does not by itself diagnose Wilson disease.
A high level of Ceruloplasmin
A high ceruloplasmin level can occur because ceruloplasmin is an acute-phase protein, meaning that its concentration can increase during inflammation or certain illnesses.
Possible causes include:
Inflammation or infection
Pregnancy
Estrogen-containing medications
Some liver and biliary disorders
Certain autoimmune or other inflammatory conditions
Important note
A Serum Ceruloplasmin result should not be interpreted by itself, particularly when evaluating Wilson disease.
When Wilson disease is suspected, healthcare providers may evaluate ceruloplasmin together with:
Serum copper
24-hour urinary copper
Liver function tests
Liver copper concentration when appropriate
Ophthalmologic examination for Kayser-Fleischer rings
Genetic testing in selected cases
Ceruloplasmin can be normal in some people with Wilson disease and can be low for reasons other than Wilson disease. Therefore, the diagnosis requires clinical assessment and a combination of appropriate tests.
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