Ceruloplasmin Immunotubidimetric Method 24 Hour Urine

Ceruloplasmin Immunoturbidimetric Method 24 Hour Urine Test is used to measure the ceruloplasmin levels released per 24 hours in the urine from a 24-hour urine sample. This test helps to know the conditions related to copper deficiencies in the body.

What is the importance of Ceruloplasmin (CP)?

Ceruloplasmin is a copper-carrying protein made in the liver. It carries about 90 percent of the total copper in the blood. Copper is a mineral which is naturally present in many food items such as nuts, chocolate, mushrooms, shellfish, whole grains, dried fruits, and liver. In the body, copper gets converted to a non-toxic form by the help of a protein in the intestine and transports it to the liver. The liver stores some of the copper and rest is bound to the enzyme ceruloplasmin and other proteins such as albumin. The liver eliminates the excess copper into the bile and it is removed from the body in the stool and urine. The body needs copper for the regulation of iron breakdown, energy, melanin (a pigment that produces skin tone) production and a healthy nervous system.

Excess storage of copper in the liver, brain and other organs may lead to a rare inherited condition called Wilson disease. So, in this case, the copper is not put in ceruloplasmin. Therefore measuring the ceruloplasmin levels in the body helps to diagnose Wilson disease.

Deficiency of copper is seen in individuals with poor nutrition (malnutrition), or lack of proper absorption of copper due to Chrons disease or celiac disease (diseased conditions of intestine). Decreased copper levels in the brain and liver may lead to a rare X-linked genetic condition called Menkes kinky hair syndrome.

Why this test is performed?

This test is performed to know whether an individual is having normal or abnormal ceruloplasmin levels in the urine. Your doctor may ask to perform this test if you experience any signs and symptoms of copper deficiencies. Sign and symptoms of low levels of copper such as paleness, anemia, always feeling cold, poor growth, skin sores, low white blood cells, hair with less pigment than normal etc. This test is also recommended to you by your doctor if he suspects high levels of copper in the body with symptoms such as belly pain, vomiting, diarrhea etc.

Your doctor may also advise you to perform this test to monitor and diagnose Wilson disease. Symptoms of Wilson disease are anemia, low white blood count, brown rings around the cornea, fatigue, jaundice, abdominal pain, swollen liver, behavioral changes etc. However, your doctor may ask to perform a few more additional tests to confirm the diagnosis.

How often this test is performed?

If you have a family history of Wilson disease or any copper-related condition, your doctor may ask you to perform this test on a 6-monthly basis or a yearly basis. Patients with Wilson disease or any other copper-related condition should perform this test on a regular basis, as instructed by the doctor.

Healthcare professional may ask you to collect the urine sample in a sterile container over a 24 hour period. Follow all the appropriate instructions given by the healthcare professional during and after the urine sample collection. Submit the collected urine samples in the lab for the test.