What does a lower Ceruloplasmin level indicate?

A lower level of Ceruloplasmin indicates that the body cannot use or disperse copper properly. It may also be an indicator of Wilson disease, liver disease, Menkes Syndrome, malnutrition, kidney ailments and also malabsorption in most cases.

What does a higher Ceruloplasmin level indicate?

A higher Ceruloplasmin level indicates ailments such as leukemia, serious infections, heart disease, Hodgkin Lymphoma and rheumatoid arthritis. It may also happen due to factors like using birth control pills and also pregnancy. These are some conditions which will not require medical attention in such scenarios.

Are there any risks of getting the Ceruloplasmin test done?

The Ceruloplasmin test does not come with any risks. Risks are negligible, like a little bruising or pain at the spot of insertion of the needle. However, this goes away on its own after some time and will not cause trouble for most people.

What are some of the symptoms necessitating a Ceruloplasmin test?

Some of the symptoms necessitating a Ceruloplasmin test include anemia, jaundice, walking trouble, behavioral changes, tremors, and pain in the abdomen. There could also be issues with speaking or swallowing food. Nausea is another symptom that often occurs in these scenarios.

Ceruloplasmin Test: Purpose, Procedure, Results, and Risks

The Ceruloplasmin blood test helps measure the amount of Ceruloplasmin in the blood. This is nothing but a specific type of protein that is created within the liver. It holds responsibility for the storage and transportation of copper into the bloodstream from the liver and also into other body parts which require the same.

Ceruloplasmin Test: Purpose, Procedure, Result, And Risk

Copper is an essential mineral contained in various type of food items such as chocolate, nuts, shellfish, mushrooms, and liver. It is vital for several functions of the body such as the development of stronger bones, production of energy and melanin (the substance lending your skin its hue) and so on. However, the right amount of copper is a must since excessive or too little volumes may indicate serious health issues. The other names of the Ceruloplasmin test are the Ceruloplasmin blood test CP and serum.

Ceruloplasmin Test Overview

Name of the Test	Ceruloplasmin Test
Why is it necessary?	It helps in measuring the Ceruloplasmin levels in the blood.
Symptoms	Jaundice, anemia, pain in the abdomen, mobility issues, swallowing/speaking issues, nausea, behavioral changes, etc.
Normal Ceruloplasmin levels	14-40 mg/dl although it could vary slightly across laboratories.
Also Included In	Health Insurance Plans
Cost	Rs. 750 - Rs. 1,100 depending the city and lab

What is the Need for Ceruloplasmin Test?

The Ceruloplasmin test is required in tandem with copper testing for the diagnosis of Wilson disease, a rare genetic ailment that hinders the removal of extra copper from the body. It may lead to a severe copper build-up in the brain, liver and other body organs. It may also help in the diagnosis of ailments which lead to copper deficiencies. They include the following:

Malnutrition- This is an ailment where the body does not receive sufficient dietary nutrition.
Malabsorption- This is an ailment where the body finds it tough to absorb and usage dietary nutrients.
Menkes Syndrome- It is a genetic ailment which is incurable and rare.

When is the need to get a Ceruloplasmin test?

You will need this test if you have the following symptoms:

Jaundice
Anemia
Tremors
Walking Issues
Pain in the Abdomen
Nausea
Speaking/Swallowing Issues
Behavioral Changes

The Ceruloplasmin test may be required by those with a family history of the Wilson Disease, even without demonstrating symptoms. Such symptoms may manifest between 5-35 years of age in some cases or even later. The test is necessary even when there are copper deficiency symptoms including paleness of the skin, osteoporosis, lower levels of WBCs (white blood cells), tingling sensations in the feet and hands, fatigue, and so on.

Babies may require the test if they have Menkes Syndrome symptoms. They usually manifest at the stage of infancy and include feeding trouble, tangled/brittle hair, delays in development, growth failures, seizures, muscle tone issues, and so on. Most children affected by this syndrome pass away in their first few years tragically, although sometimes treatment may prolong their lifespan. Yet, this has to be done within the first 28 days after taking birth.

Testing Procedure

The doctor or diagnostic professional will gather the blood sample from your arm. A small needle will be used for this purpose and inserted to collect the blood into the vial or test tube. You may feel a stinging or pinching sensation at the time. The entire procedure requires hardly a few minutes.

Test Preparation Aspects

No special or specific preparation is required for this type of test.

Risk Factors Involved

There are negligible risk aspects to the blood test in question. Only some bruising or minimal pain may be seen at the injection site. However, symptoms usually disappear swiftly on their own.

Understanding the Test Results

A level which is lower than normal may indicate the inability of the body to eliminate/use copper suitably. It may indicate Wilson disease, malnutrition, liver disease, Menkes Syndrome, malnutrition, kidney disease and malabsorption. Levels which are higher than the normal threshold may also indicate heart ailments, serious infections, leukemia, rheumatoid arthritis and Hodgkin Lymphoma. At times, higher Ceruloplasmin levels may also happen due to several conditions not requiring medical attention. These include pregnancy, birth control pill usage and so on.

Conclusion

You may have to do your Ceruloplasmin test in tandem with many other types of tests. They may include the copper test for the blood and urine along with liver function testing. As you can see, this test is really essential for diagnosing specific levels of this protein and confirming whether you are affected by any resultant ailment or not.