Copper, Urine-14514
Test info
Copper, random urine
Cu
- Copper, urine
- Creatinine, urine
- Copper:creatinine ratio
- Copper, urine (24-hour)
Monitor exposure to copper
Increased urinary copper excretion may occur in ICC or with chronic active hepatitis; Wilson's disease and chronic active hepatitis may also resemble one another; thus, parameters in addition to urinary copper excretion, such as ceruloplasmin and serum copper, are needed.
Specimen
- Mix 24 hour collection well
- Pour off a 5mL (minimum 1.3mL) aliquot into a Transfer vial/tube with cap - 12mL (LabCorp), labelled as urine
- Pour off a 5mL (minimum 1.3mL) aliquot into a Transfer vial/tube with cap - 12mL (LabCorp), labelled as urine
- Total urine volume (24-hour specimens only)
Refrigerated (preferred) – 14 days
Ambient - 14 days
Frozen - 14 days
Freeze/thaw cycles - stable x3
- Visibly bloody specimens
Performance
Inductively-coupled plasma/mass spectrometry (ICP/MS)
Clinical and Interpretive info
Copper poisoning through chronic inhalation of copper fumes and/or dusts that are typically associated with industry may produce symptoms of nausea, vomiting, nervous manifestations, and hepatomegaly. Acute exposures through inhalation can cause typical metal-fume fever, chills, upper respiratory irritation, and aching muscles. Elevated urine copper levels may also occur with biliary cirrhosis, chronic active hepatitis, or Wilson disease.
Copper poisoning through chronic exposure is rare in the general population, excepting individuals with Wilson's disease. Overexposure to copper is generally associated with industry through the inhalation of copper dust and/or fumes that arise in operations involving copper (eg, metallurgy, copper plating, soldering). Acute ingestion is a viable concern for the general population and can be precipitated by food contamination from copper utensils or the accidental or intentional ingestion of copper salts.