Ceruloplasmin Test
Reviewed
Also called: Ceruloplasmin blood test, Serum ceruloplasmin, CP test, Copper oxidase test, Ferroxidase test
A ceruloplasmin test measures the amount of ceruloplasmin in your blood. Ceruloplasmin is a protein made by your liver that carries copper to parts of your body that need it. This test helps diagnose conditions related to having too much or too little copper, such as Wilson disease or Menkes syndrome. It is usually done together with blood and urine copper tests.
Specimen: Blood
Why this test may be ordered
- Symptoms of Wilson disease (nausea, jaundice, tremors, eye rings, etc.)
- Family history of Wilson disease
- Symptoms of copper deficiency (low white blood cells, osteoporosis, fatigue, tingling)
- Symptoms of Menkes syndrome in infants (colorless hair, floppy muscles, seizures)
- Monitoring known copper imbalance or treatment effectiveness
Preparation and collection
No special preparation needed.
Blood sample from a vein in the arm
There is very little risk to having a blood test. You may have slight pain or bruising at the needle site, but most symptoms go away quickly.
Understanding results
Your ceruloplasmin level alone cannot diagnose a condition. The meaning depends on other tests, your symptoms, and your history. In general:
- Lower than normal ceruloplasmin: Lower than normal ceruloplasmin Limitation: Low ceruloplasmin may be a sign of Wilson disease, Menkes syndrome, severe liver or kidney disease, or copper deficiency from malnutrition or malabsorption. Next step: Your provider will use additional copper tests to confirm the cause.
- Higher than normal ceruloplasmin: Higher than normal ceruloplasmin Limitation: High ceruloplasmin may be linked to heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, leukemia, Hodgkin lymphoma, infection, inflammation, or injury. But it can also be caused by pregnancy, birth control pills, or estrogen therapy without disease. Next step: Your provider will evaluate whether other conditions or medications explain the high level.
- A ceruloplasmin test alone cannot diagnose any condition. Your provider will consider all test results, symptoms, medical history, and family history.
- Low ceruloplasmin levels may be normal in some people with Wilson disease.
- High ceruloplasmin levels can be caused by pregnancy, birth control pills, estrogen therapy, or other factors not related to disease.
What to do next
Your healthcare provider will interpret your ceruloplasmin level together with blood and urine copper tests and your overall health picture. Ask your provider what your results mean for you.
- What is a ceruloplasmin test?
- Why might I need this test?
- What do the results mean?
- What are the risks?
- How should I prepare?