Caeruloplasmin is primarily ordered along with blood and/or urine copper tests to help diagnose Wilson’s disease, an inherited disorder associated with decreased levels of caeruloplasmin and excess storage of copper in the liver, brain, and other organs. Rarely, it may be ordered to help diagnose or differentiate between conditions associated with copper deficiencies.

It is ordered along with copper tests when someone has signs and symptoms that the doctor suspects may be due to Wilson’s disease such as:

·  anaemia

·  nausea, abdominal pain

·  jaundice

·  fatigue

·  behavioural changes

·  tremors

·  difficulty walking and/or swallowing

·  dystonia

 

Rarely, caeruloplasmin may also be ordered along with copper tests when your doctor suspects that you have a copper deficiency and periodically if monitoring is recommended.

NOTE: A standard reference range is not available for this test. Because reference values are dependent on many factors, including patient age, gender, sample population, and test method, numeric test results have different meanings in different labs. Your lab report should include the specific reference range for your test. Lab Tests Online strongly recommends that you discuss your test results with your doctor. For more information on reference ranges, please read Reference Ranges and What They Mean.

Low caeruloplasmin levels are not diagnostic of a specific condition and are usually evaluated along with copper tests.

 

Test results may include:

 

·  If caeruloplasmin and blood copper concentrations are decreased, urine copper levels are increased, then the patient may have Wilson’s disease.

·  About 5% of the patients with Wilson’s disease who have neurological symptoms will have normal caeruloplasmin levels as will up to 40% of those with hepatic symptoms.

·  If caeruloplasmin and urine and/or blood copper concentrations are low, then the patient may have a copper deficiency.

·  Anything that interferes with the supply of copper or with the body’s ability to metabolize copper has the potential to affect blood caeruloplasmin and copper concentrations.

Caeruloplasmin may be increased in a variety of circumstances where the test is not used as a clinical tool. These may include:

 

·  Caeruloplasmin is an acute phase reactant. It is frequently elevated when someone has inflammation, severe infection, tissue damage, and may be increased with some cancers.

·  It may be increased during pregnancy and with the use of oestrogen, oral contraceptives, and medications such as carbamazepine, phenobarbital, and valproic acid.

 

Caeruloplasmin is not a routine test. Unless your doctor suspects that you have Wilson’s disease or a problem with your copper metabolism, it is likely that you will not ever have this test performed.