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Alternative names Return to top
Quantitative urinary copperDefinition Return to top
This is a test to measure the amount of copper in urine.How the test is performed Return to top
A 24-hour urine sample is needed. The health care provider will instruct you, if necessary, to discontinue drugs that may interfere with the test.For infants, thoroughly wash the area around the urethra. Open a urine collection bag (a plastic bag with an adhesive paper on one end), and place it on your infant. For males, the entire penis can be placed in the bag and the adhesive attached to the skin. For females, the bag is placed over the labia. Place a diaper over the infant (bag and all).
The infant should be checked frequently and the bag changed after the infant has urinated into the bag. For active infants, this procedure may take a couple of attempts -- lively infants can displace the bag, causing an inability to obtain the specimen. The urine is drained into the container for transport to the laboratory.
Deliver it to the laboratory or your health care provider as soon as possible upon completion. The lab analyzes the sample for the amount of copper.
How to prepare for the test Return to top
No special preparation is necessary for this test, but if the collection is being taken from an infant, a couple of extra collection bags may be necessary.How the test will feel Return to top
The test involves only normal urination, and there is no discomfort.Why the test is performed Return to top
Copper is measured in the urine as a test for the presence of Wilson's disease, a genetic disorder that affects the body's handling of copper.Normal Values Return to top
The normal range is 10 to 30 mcg/24 hr.What abnormal results mean Return to top
Abnormal results show elevated levels of copper and can indicate:What the risks are Return to top
There are no risks. Update Date: 2/9/2004 Updated by: Frank A. Greco, M.D., Ph.D., Director, Biophysical Laboratory, The Lahey Clinic, Burlington, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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Page last updated: 28 October 2004 |