Medical expert of the article
New publications
Copper in the blood
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Copper is one of the most important essential micronutrients necessary for human life. In the adult body contains 1.57-3.14 mmol of copper, and half of this amount falls on muscles and bones, 10% - on liver tissue. The daily human need for copper is 1-2 mg. A key role in the exchange of copper is played by the liver.
Reference values (norm) of concentration of copper in blood serum
|
Age |
Concentration of copper in serum |
|
|
Mg / dL |
μmol / l |
|
|
Children: |
20-70 |
3.14-10.99 |
|
Up to 6 months |
||
|
Up to 6 years |
90-190 |
14.3-29.83 |
|
Under 12 years old |
80-160 |
12.56-25.12 |
|
Adults: |
||
|
Men |
70-140 |
10.99-21.98 |
|
Women |
80-155 |
12.56-24.34 |
|
At the end of pregnancy |
118-302 |
18.53-47.41 |
Most of the copper entering the body is excreted with feces, excretion in the urine is very insignificant. Copper participates in biochemical processes as an integral part of electron transfer proteins, which carry out the reactions of oxidation of substrates with molecular oxygen. A number of enzymes contain up to 4 copper ions and more.
The most important role in the metabolism of copper is played by ceruloplasmin, a multifunctional protein that has the activity of ferroxidase, aminoxidase and, in part, superoxide dismutase. Copper in the blood serum is present exclusively in the form associated with ceruloplasmin (95%) and albumin (5%).
Copper has a pronounced anti-inflammatory property, softens the manifestation of autoimmune diseases, such as, for example, rheumatoid arthritis. The deficiency of copper is reflected in the lipid composition of the blood plasma: the content of cholesterol, triglycerides and phospholipids is increased due to the inhibition of lipoprotein lipase. In addition, copper is a part of apo-B and is necessary for its transfer into a soluble form, copper deficiency causes structural changes in apo-B and thereby hinders its binding by the receptor protein. Excess copper in the body leads to a deficiency of zinc and molybdenum.
[