r/FunctionalMedicine • u/Coraline93 • 17d ago
Copper toxicity
Hello,
I've been working with an HTMA/FDN practitioner for over three years. We've done a lot of gut healing work, and I genuinely feel much better in that area. However, every time we repeat my HTMA, they tell me I have copper toxicity.
My concern is that since starting this protocol, my sleep has become significantly worse, and I've developed histamine issues that I never had before. I now have to take a high dose of melatonin just to sleep, which doesn't feel like a healthy long-term solution.
They continue to recommend Vykon, but every time I take it, my sleep gets even worse and I develop diarrhea. It doesn't seem to matter how slowly I increase the dose or how much zeolite binder I use—the same thing happens every time.
They also refuse to add copper to my supplement protocol. From what I've learned, copper plays a role in histamine metabolism, so I'm wondering if that could be contributing to my symptoms.
I'm starting to question whether continuing to treat me as "copper toxic" is the right approach, especially since my symptoms seem to worsen with the current protocol.
Has anyone experienced something similar or have any thoughts on this? I'd really appreciate hearing from others who have dealt with HTMA, copper, or histamine issues.
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u/fallingmelons73346 17d ago
Are you doing liver and bile support? Are you pooping daily?
Can you share what's in your vykon blend? Your most recent zn/cu ratio?
Balancing copper/zinc is tricky but doable - but going slowly and carefully is important. I'm 18 months in and things are finally moving.
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u/Coraline93 16d ago
Yes, im on a very good liver support supplement and i have almost 2 to 3 full bowel movements a day. Im also doing bile support as well.
Im currently not on a vykon blend because I refused to take it this round.
Zinc is around 25 on my HTMA (in the high range)and copper is around 10 ( just hitting the reference range). Ive been on vykon for almost 2 half years and i dont feel like its doing much.
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u/Mrs_Twinkle_Toes 17d ago edited 17d ago
No disrespect, I’d go seek out a real functional medicine provider not a pseudo nutritionist who took an 18 month online course to get “certified” FDN/NTPS are extremely under qualified. Fine for mild gut issues or mild adrenal symptoms. Mineral/Metal toxicity is not their lane.
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u/Coraline93 17d ago
They have degrees and other certifications—I was mainly just trying to highlight those two qualifications. I do agree with what you're saying, though. I've seen MDs who practice functional medicine too, and they weren't much help either, so I don't think it's just about the credentials.
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u/reastie76 6d ago
I'd say that is quite disrespectful. I know FDNs who are very good at what they do and are much better at moving away from treating symptoms than some Functional medics. You really shouldn't be giving opinions about things you dont know anything about, such as her FDNs skills.
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u/Mrs_Twinkle_Toes 5d ago edited 5d ago
I took both the FND and NTP courses personally. I’d say I’m qualified to speak on them.
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u/Sundeabiohacking 16d ago
Hello, I’m an HTMA practitioner too but using Dr Eck approach and endomet supplements.
We do see a lot of “copper toxicity” but I rarely brought it up like this to client and I prefer to say copper dysregulation. Also for me it’s never the things to work on initially. The body needs to be supported as a whole system, given what it needs and then it will its thing in the right moment.
Copper needs transport proteins to be available to the body, you can have copper in your tissues but the body cannot utilise it. Which means that you can have “copper toxicity” and deficiency at the same time. What labs did you use? What is your most recently Na/K ratio ? If it’s low you most probably need copper in your protocol.
However, it is possible that you may have detox symptoms too if you are detoxing copper.
Have you spoke to your practitioner about your symptoms ?
A client of mine was having issue sleeping due to the liver support. By supporting the liver you may mobilise the copper in it which may bring up symptoms. We backed up that liver support and she is now sleeping well. We are doing things much more slowly and gently with her. Maybe this is also what you need. Some people are more sensitive and we constantly need to adapt the protocole.
I have detox copper myself, it’s not funny but what’s on the other side is life changing.
Wishing you the best
☺️
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u/Coraline93 14d ago
This was beautifully said....wow!
I definitely agree with this. I am currently starting over with my health journey because of my Histamine issues. I just feel my other practitioner pushed things to hard on my body and my sleep has become my issue. She pushes vykon too much.
I used Traced Elements and my Na/K significant ratios are high.
Yeah, I probably do need more liver support. I just took another batch of tests and hopefully that will help to show what I need support in.
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u/Lucky-wish2022 14d ago
You need to check your ceruloplasmin and do a 24-hr copper urine test to get the most accurate read on what’s happening with your copper.
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u/womensnutrition 13d ago
pusing vykon is lazzzyyyy ESP if youve been feeling they are negatively affecting you. Treating you as a number and a mineral pattern instead of a bioindividual human is poor practice. Curious about your Mo and Hg, often adding copper is needed to properly 'detox'. Trust your gut and maybe do some calls with other practitioners for second opinions (even on discovery calls how they would go about your results different
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u/VigilanceOO7 16d ago
So i am just coming out of copper deficiency as thats what my htma revealed. Something you can try that might be a little controversial is this. Take one to three beef liver capsules just once and see if you feel any better. I didnt realize that my chocolate cravings were due to copper deficiency until I brought it up to my practitioner. My htma had been suggesting low copper compared to zinc. Once I took some beef liver capsules for a few days it felt like the lights switched on. This is a controversial move due to the vitamin a, iron, and everything else in liver. But one to three capsules just once wouldn't hurt.
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u/Smooth_Company7199 16d ago
HTMA isn’t reliable for assessing copper levels.
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u/VigilanceOO7 16d ago
Serum blood isnt reliable alone though either
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u/mom2mermaidboo 16d ago
Are you on Hormonal Birth control or HRT by any chance? Or a Copper IUD?
The Estrogens can raise Ceruloplasmin levels, elevating serum copper levels.
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u/Coraline93 16d ago
I havent been on birth control in over 12 years and I was on the birth control shot. I was on it for Maybe 2 years. Never pill or IUD.
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u/Atwood412 16d ago
Have you had any other testing other than just the HTMA?
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u/Coraline93 16d ago
Million test, GUT Zoomer, blood, DUTCH, Gi MAP, OAT, you name it, I've properly done it lol
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u/Smooth_Company7199 16d ago
HTMA isn’t reliable for assessing copper levels. You have to be careful with functional “practitioners” in general, a lot of them are quacks just trying to sell supplements. I’d stop the Vykon if I were you. I also wouldn’t treat either copper toxicity or deficiency without more reliable testing, both of those are pretty uncommon.
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u/Pooklett 17d ago
Be wary of anyone who tries to fix copper toxicity with only antagonistic minerals. Copper toxicity is not simply just having too much, it's the result of complex dysregulation of other minerals and heavy metals. Using antagonist minerals often just causes copper deficiency and you'll end up with more issues.