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Test Code CUU Copper, 24 Hour, Urine

Reporting Name

Copper, 24 Hr, U

Useful For

Investigation of Wilson disease and obstructive liver disease using a 24-hour urine specimen

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester

Specimen Type

Urine


Necessary Information


24-Hour volume (in milliliters) is required.



Specimen Required


Patient Preparation: High concentrations of barium are known to interfere with this test. If barium-containing contrast media has been administered, the specimen should not be collected for at least 96 hours.

Supplies: Urine Tubes, 10 mL (T068)

Collection Container/Tube: Clean, plastic urine collection container with no metal cap or glued insert

Submission Container/Tube: Plastic urine tube or clean, plastic aliquot container with no metal cap or glued insert

Specimen Volume: 10 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. Collect urine for 24 hours.

2. Refrigerate specimen within 4 hours of completion of 24-hour collection.

3. See Metals Analysis Specimen Collection and Transport for complete instructions.

Additional Information: See Urine Preservatives-Collection and Transportation for 24-Hour Urine Specimens for multiple collections.


Specimen Minimum Volume

0.4 mL

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time Special Container
Urine Refrigerated (preferred) 28 days
  Ambient  28 days
  Frozen  28 days

Reference Values

0-17 years: Not established

≥18 years: 9-71 mcg/24 h

Day(s) Performed

Monday, Thursday

Test Classification

This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.

CPT Code Information

82525

Clinical Information

The biliary system is the major pathway of copper excretion. Biliary excretion of copper requires an adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-dependent transporter protein. Variants in the gene for the transporter protein cause hepatolenticular degeneration (Wilson disease). Ceruloplasmin, the primary copper-carrying protein in the blood, is also reduced in Wilson disease. Urine copper excretion is increased in Wilson disease due to a decreased serum binding of copper to ceruloplasmin or due to allelic variances in cellular metal ion transporters.

 

Hypercupricuria (increased urinary copper) is also found in hemochromatosis, biliary cirrhosis, thyrotoxicosis, various infections, and a variety of other acute, chronic, and malignant diseases (including leukemia). Urine copper concentrations are also elevated during pregnancy and in patients taking contraceptives or estrogens.

 

Low urine copper levels are seen in malnutrition, hypoproteinemias, malabsorption, and nephrotic syndrome. Increased zinc consumption interferes with normal copper absorption from the gastrointestinal tract causing hypocupremia.

Report Available

2 to 5 days

Reject Due To

All specimens will be evaluated at Mayo Clinic Laboratories for test suitability.

Method Name

Triple-Quadrupole Inductively-Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS/MS)

Forms

If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send 1 of the following forms with the specimen:

-Gastroenterology and Hepatology Test Request (T728)

-Biochemical Genetics Test Request (T798)