Ceruloplasmin Test

Ceruloplasmin is a protein synthesised by your liver. It stores the mineral copper in the liver and carries it around your body, from the liver to other organs via the bloodstream. Ceruloplasmin carries about 65% to 90% of the total copper found in the blood. Copper is essential for various processes in your body. It helps build strong bones, produces energy and makes melanin. Your liver transfers the copper from your blood into ceruloplasmin proteins. This copper-containing ceruloplasmin is then released into your blood plasma. The copper is carried around by ceruloplasmin in the blood to all other tissues in your body. A deficiency or excess of copper in your body can be fatal for you. The Ceruloplasmin test measures the levels of the copper-containing protein, ceruloplasmin, in blood. This Ceruloplasmin test helps diagnose Wilson disease and other conditions caused by a copper deficiency or copper toxicity. Wilson disease is a rare form of genetic disorder that stops your body from getting rid of excess copper. The liver is unable to send excess copper into your bowel for excretion. Instead, the excess copper gets accumulated in your liver and overflows into the bloodstream. This excess copper then builds up in your brain, corneas, liver, kidneys, bones and near the thyroid. If left untreated, copper poisoning from Wilson disease can be fatal. People with Wilson disease should avoid foods rich in copper like liver, shellfish, nuts, mushrooms and chocolate. The Ceruloplasmin test is advised in people who complain of the symptoms like trouble while speaking or swallowing, tremors, swollen liver or spleen, yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice), fluid build-up in the legs and belly, high amounts of amino acids, protein, uric acid and carbohydrates in the urine, etc. ??Studies show that Ceruloplasmin test levels of more than 20 mg/dL help rule out Wilson disease. However, low levels of ceruloplasmin may be seen in 45% of Indian children without Wilson Disease. The Ceruloplasmin test helps diagnose Wilson disease in 93% of cases when ceruloplasmin levels are < 10 mg/dL and in 100% cases with ceruloplasmin levels of < 5 mg/dL.