Description

A ceruloplasmin test measures a protein that your liver makes called ceruloplasmin. It helps copper circulate throughout your body and plays an important role in making ingested iron ready for transport from your intestines to other sites for storage. You need copper to help maintain energy and bone health. It also helps your body make the substance that gives your skin pigment (melanin).

Low ceruloplasmin levels may mean that your body isn’t using copper efficiently. It could point to:

• Kidney disease.
• Liver disease.
• Wilson’s disease.
• Malabsorption or malnutrition.
• Menkes disease.

Low ceruloplasmin points only to a copper deficiency and not an underlying disease.

High ceruloplasmin levels could mean you have irregularly high levels of copper. This can be a sign of:

• Heart disease.
• Hodgkin lymphoma.
• Leukemia.
• Rheumatoid arthritis.

Keep in mind that you can have high ceruloplasmin levels without having a medical condition. Pregnancy and birth control pills can both lead to high ceruloplasmin. Ceruloplasmin levels may also increase because of inflammation, infection or injury.