All Tests

Ceruloplasmin, a glycoprotein produced in the liver, carries or transports more than 95 percent of the copper in blood plasma.

Copper plays an important role in the body by aiding crucial bodily processes. These include producing energy, forming connective tissue, and helping your central nervous system function.

A ceruloplasmin test can determine the levels of ceruloplasmin in your body. It’s most often used in the diagnosis of Wilson’s disease, a genetic disorder.

The overall mean serum Cu concentration was 2.92 micromol/L lower than the mean plasma Cu concentration; however, there was significant variability between individual samples, and the 95% limits of agreement ranged from 0.44 micromol/L more to 6.28 micromol/L less. The relationship between CP activity and plasma Cu concentration was less variable; the 95% prediction interval for plasma Cu concentration from CP activity was +/- 2.8 micromol/L, and was unaffected by whether CP activity was measured in plasma or serum. Using the threshold currently recommended for 'marginal' status of <8.0 micromol/L for serum Cu concentration identified a significantly different population of cattle than a threshold of <9.0 micromol/L for plasma samples. Altering the threshold to <7.0 micromol/L for serum Cu concentration produced better agreement. For CP activity, a threshold of 15 IU/L for both serum and plasma identified the same population as a threshold of <9 micromol/L for plasma Cu concentration.