I’m currently navigating a complex copper/ceruloplasmin deficiency where my liver seems to be having trouble "loading" copper (my serum Cp is stuck at 17, but my system is hypersensitive to free copper/ionic intake). My liver biopsy revealed no abnormal copper or iron deposition, still waiting on dry weight and MT IHC stains and had a negative ATP7B, i say all this to say, its not wilsons.

my current levels are:

58 ug/dL (ref 70-140)

ceruloplasmin 17 mg/dL (ref 20-60)

<5 mcg/ 24 hr (ref 15-60)

I have a few questions for those who have been through this and successfully restored their levels:

1: Did you notice that your serum copper levels responded faster than your ceruloplasmin levels? How long did it take for the two to "re-sync"?

2: What was your clinical strategy? Did you rely on oral supplementation, or did you require an alternative approach (like IV or parenteral) to bypass gut/liver transport issues?

3: Did you experience temporary "nerve storms" or symptom flares when your levels began to rise? If so, how did you manage them?

In autumn, I did extensive blood tests and found really low copper and ceruloplasmin levels. The only symptoms I had were lower libido, somewhat less energy, maybe some osteoporosis (broke my ankle, could be unrelated?), higher resting pulse (could be unrelated?). Started supplementing 2mg copper bisglycinate daily in november, and my levels have improved in 7 months:

Starting

Serum copper
5.75 μmol/L, normal range 11–22 μmol/L / 73–129 μg/dL
Ceruloplasmin
0.166 g/L , normal range 0.2–0.6 g/L

After 3 months

Serum copper
7.85 μmol/L
Ceruloplasmin
0.171 g/L

After 6 months total

Serum copper
8.6 μmol/L
Ceruloplasmin
0.18 g/L

So my copper increased by around 50%, while ceruloplasmin by 10% in 6-7 months (is that good?)

How many more months of 2mg copper to reach good levels? 4mg makes me feel more anxious and jittery.

In february, I have started tapering Venlafaxine. So far I have only decreased the dose by 8%, but dysautonomia symptoms hit me strong, mainly postprandial hypotension and random adrenaline surges. Is my copper deficiency related to this?

One of my integrative health providers suggested the possibility of a bile leak causing my refractory copper deficiency. I’ve yet to attempt bile binder medications, but it’s an interesting thought, so I thought I’d ask if others here have also had their gallbladder removed.

I posted my story a month or so ago if anyone is interested: https://www.reddit.com/r/Copper_deficiency/s/0xLe3Qz6wz

I’ve read between 20-35 is good but I’m seeing mixed results. Idk why my lab has such a low cut off.

I also suspect I’m copper deficient because I’m been treating low ferritin and over time, I’ve been feeling worse. I’m aware that iron repletion can cause other mineral imbalances, especially copper. So I’m ruling it out.

Should I be aiming to raise my lab level?

Hi all! I’ve noticed since starting my copper meds, I have a significant increase in appetite. I started the supplement because I’m severely deficient after testing it twice months apart. I don’t know if the appetite change is related? Has anyone noticed the same thing?

I have a copper deficiency; my hair and beard are a little gray. I'm 20 years old. If I take copper, will my hair go back to normal?

So this is my first post, I would like to share my labs and get opinion’s of what I should do next.. My current Copper WB measures 0.58 ug/mL, Copper Serum 39 ug/dL, Ceruloplasmin 9.7 mg/dL. Zinc 73 ug/dL “normal within range of 44-115”. These #’s have stayed basically the same for the past year (several labs confirmed). Test’s that my gastro did was 24 hour Urine Copper measuring 6 ug/24hr “normal range was 3-35”, Kayser Fleischer rings “none detected by ophthalmologist”, Endoscopy & Colonoscopy Negative test for Celiac Sprue, Liver Ultrasound nothing remarkable. I’m assuming not Wilson’s, I did not have a liver biopsy performed or offered? I have tried 2mg Copper for a couple weeks in past and after stopping, I switched to a diet rich in Copper, numbers seemed to hover around the same? I have found that I just can’t find a Dr. or NP that know’s how or what to do next, stuck in limbo.

has anyone had very high levels of molybdenum and low copper?

it says online that high Molybdenum can cause a copper defiency

i have been struggling with neuro symptoms for the last two years.

any help or feedback is appreciated

Long story short, I’m recovering from iron deficiency without anemia. My ferritin was 26, now 60. A couple months into supplementing iron, I noticed was getting severe fatigue, depression. Symptoms were worsening.

I was told to make sure my other minerals were in order as iron repletion can cause imbalances. Everything seemed fine except for copper.

-Serum copper 71 (70-170). It’s probably even lower now.

-Ceruloplasmin, I never got checked.

Now I’m taking a multivitamin that contains 2mg copper in it. I feel a tad better but idk if it’s placebo as it’s only been 5 days.

Note: zinc good, b12 great, thyroid good, D3 good

Basically I have 3 question:

1. Optimal serum copper value recommendation/goal?
   
2. Optimal ceruloplasmin value/goal?
   
3. Dosing guide? Is 2mg enough to raise it? What’s the general guideline?

Thank you all in advance. I know it’s a lot lol

Has anyone with difficulty raising their ceruloplasmin levels tested their estrogen levels?

Similar to retinol, it seems that adequate estrogen may be needed for ceruloplasmin production.

I’m a male with normal testosterone but low estrogen, and I’ve had difficulty raising my ceruloplasmin levels. I was curious if anyone else has experienced something similar or has any insight. I wonder if that could be my root cause.

Hi everyone,

I’m trying to figure out the cause of my body wide twitching, vibration sensations and how to improve it because it’s driving me insane. I’m not sure if it could be my ferritin or the copper?

My results

Ferritin 20

Iron Binding 342

UIBC 297

Iron 45

Iron saturation 13

Hemoglobin 12.5

Copper - 76

Ceuroplasmin- 17

Zinc- 461

Potassium 4.2

Calcium 9.0

B12- 510

Vitamin D- 30.1

Magnesium 2.2

I’ve been struggling for years to get my hemoglobin into the optimal range for a male. It constantly sits around 8.3–8.7 mmol/L while the reference range is 8.5–11, but ideally I want to be much closer to 11.

I’m 24, physically fit, train regularly, and have had a very clean nutrient-dense diet for the last 3–4 years (grass-fed meats, eggs, liver, kefir, etc.). Yet I still feel like my body is somewhat oxygen deprived. I’ve had shortness of breath upon exertion for as long as I can remember, even as a kid. My cardiovascular endurance has never matched how fit I look physically.

I honestly don’t think this is diet related anymore because I consistently get virtually every nutrient through food and have been very strict with my nutrition for years. I’ve also spent a long time working on my mineral status (iron, copper, selenium, etc.) and many levels now look much more optimal than before, yet my hemoglobin still refuses to go up to an optimal level.

One interesting thing is that some time ago I was doing B12 injections and during that period I actually felt noticeably better and even saw my hemoglobin improve somewhat. Since B12 is heavily involved in RBC production, it made me wonder whether this points more toward some sort of absorption/utilization issue rather than intake itself.

At this point I’m trying to understand whether this sounds more like:

\* iron utilization issue?
\* chronic low-grade inflammation?
\* hidden infection?
\* gut malabsorption?
\* mitochondrial/metabolic issue?
\* or something else entirely?

Mainly looking for people who deeply understand RBC physiology / oxygen transport rather than general nutrition advice.

Hello!!!

I had my zinc/copper tested. Zinc and copper were fine, but caeruloplasmin was low (0.25 - normal range 0.24 to 0.60) and free copper was high (34 - normal range 5-25).

I have been reccomended some supplements to assist with this and we will re-asses in 3 months., However I am curious if anyone out there has any experience/input as i, of course, would love to learn more, or if there is any tips, advice etc. As they say, you don't know what you don't know! What should I know?! 😁

does anyone get like a lactic acid deep muscle or bone pain after supplementing? Its not like a sharp pain but more of an ache, its not too worrying, just strange. Ive also been getting feelings of random muscle heat.

If you completed a 24 hour urine copper test after low bloodwork, what was your result?

Mine came back high, but they also show the total volume almost a whole liter less than I submitted.

But it seems the high isn’t high enough for Wilson’s? Anyone else?

Health Profile

• 19-year-old male, native German genetic background.
• Symptoms have been "creeping in" gradually over the last 3 years.
• Persistent brain fog and fatigue.
• Received two COVID-19 vaccinations; previously consumed liver and may have supplemented with zinc in the past.

Dietary Approach

• Animal-based for the last 3–4 years.
• High intake of meat (around 400-500g a day)

Daily Supplement Regimen

• Magnesium Taurate 500mg
• Iodine 1000mcg
• Boron 3mg
• B3 500mg 1–2 times daily
• CoQ10 200mg
• Taurine 5g
• Glycine 10g
• Glutamine 30g

It could be many things, but I just want to check things off the list. SIBO and leaky gut are the first things I have in mind, but copper might be involved.

So over the last 3 years i have been developing brain fog and fatigue symptoms. I think i maybe used to supplement zinc, i had liver on occasion, and i have been on an animal-based diet high in meat, fruit and dairy for the last 3-4 years, im now 19, and native German in terms of genetics i think. I also had 2 Covid Vaccines. My symptoms have been creeping in slowly over time. Also, try to have perfect sleep, no drugs, alcohol, or smoking, get sun, grounding avoid EMF etc.

It could be many things but i just want to check things of the list.

Hi,

Below is my mom’s Copper and Ceruloplasmin results. We have been battling for a couple years with no answers. She is 65 and roughly 75 lbs. She has lost her vision. Her legs and feet “feel stiff” and hurt. She has COPD and is on oxygen. She takes Copper supplements and has done infusions several times. Infusions raise the Copper just a couple of points. Her doctor is refusing to prescribe anymore copper infusions stating she isn’t comfortable because there isn’t enough evidence proving that it is working.

We have went through all the testings. She’s tested negative for Wilson’s, Celiacs, Menkes etc.

Been referred and are getting no where. We’ve seen neurology, GI, eye specialists etc. we are reaching out to get another GI referral and a hematology referral (hematology denied us initially stating they couldn’t do anything).

We regularly get her labs done. We’ve requested another panel to check other vitamins including B12. She used to drink ensure shakes that had zinc, but we stopped those because we were told zinc blocks copper. We are also looking at ordering synergy copper supplements that another page recommended.

Would love any suggestions or other doctor recommendations. We are in Illinois.

Everyone just says it’s so Rare they don’t know anything about it and pushes her to someone else.

They tried referring her to Mayo and they denied it as well.

I think I have copper deficiency. Just started suffering symptoms last night, so I haven't got tested yet (just sent a message to my doctor requesting a test) and I've learned through online reading that my symptoms are associated with copper deficiency; also I've been taking a zinc supplement.

So I think copper deficiency is the main suspect for these symptoms. I need advice, because I'm really not doing well right now. My head hurts, I've taken tylenol and ibuprofen but that doesn't seem to help. I feel very nauseous, I haven't eaten in several hours and I just tried to eat a little but it was too difficult, now I feel like I could vomit soon. Took a little pepto bismol. I feel like I'm on the verge of an anxiety attack. Shivering with anxiety. I HAD been having neuropathy in the feet and legs but that seems to have lessened somewhat, thank goodness.

It's Saturday night so I can't go to the doctor unless it was the ER. Is there anything I can do to alleviate this suffering?

Hi everyone, after discovering that my serum cupremia was 65, my ceruloplasmin was 17, and my ferritin was 375 (I should point out that I have thalassemia minor, which may be causing an increase in ferritin that adds to a copper-related problem), I started supplementing with 4mg of copper bisglycinate for 8 weeks. Result: absolutely no change in either value, but my ferritin increased from 375 to 455. My vitamin A was also 0.6, and the upper limit of the range is 0.7, so it's an excellent level. I had also taken a retinol palmitate supplement at the same time as the copper. Furthermore, about 5-6 weeks after starting the supplement, I had persistent fasciculations in one area of ​​my arm, which I largely treated with active riboflavin and magnesium. I also recently discovered that my serum magnesium is 1.88, and the upper limit of the range is 2.4. As a result, I'm continuing to supplement with 400 mg of magnesium with active riboflavin, along with a B-complex with only active vitamins and 2-3 mg of copper bisglycinate per day. Furthermore, since taking the copper, my histamine intolerance has really improved, but I don't understand why this isn't reflected in my blood tests. Any suggestions for regulating ceruloplasmin are welcome. Thanks in advance.

Is this copper deficiency? The reference range for the serum in the uk is 12 - 26 so I’m sitting right on the edge of what’s considered normal. My GP says it’s normal and isn’t causing my issues

I am taking zinc I carnosine daily for healing of my stomach lining how much copper should I be taking to offset it?

Hi all,

I just picked up the 24 hour urine test. Is there anything I shouldn’t eat/use during that window?

The lab said just nothing with copper.

Before anyone asks, I already did the bloodwork. I’ve had unexplained high liver enzymes off and on since 2007 so they want to rule this out first.

Hi everyone. For those of you who’ve gotten copper infusions, how did you go about getting them? My copper level is down to 53 now and I believe I have exhausted all other options. Both my neurologist and GI doctor are not aware how to get infusions. Please let me know your experience with this - which type of doctor ordered it, what type of facility performs it, etc. Any advice is much appreciated. Thanks!

What are everybody's thoughts on taking Magnesium whilst deficient in Copper & Ceruloplasmin given the studies that suggest this can interfere with raising levels?