Copper

ChemistryAlso known as: Copper, SerumAlso known as: Cumcg/dL

Measures copper concentration in hair to assess long-term exposure and body stores.

Normal Range
10 – 30 ug/g
ug/g
Abnormal Levels
< 70 mcg/dL
> 175 mcg/dL
Specimen Type
Blood

Why This Biomarker Matters

Hair copper levels may indicate nutritional status or environmental exposure. While not a standard clinical test, abnormal levels could suggest copper deficiency or toxicity requiring further evaluation.

Understanding Your Results

Normal Range

10 – 30 ug/g

Optimal Ranges

Clinician-defined 4-point reference thresholds (mcg/dL)

Default Range

70
70
175
175
Low
70 mcg/dL
Borderline Low
70 mcg/dL
Optimal
175 mcg/dL
Borderline High
175 mcg/dL

Overview

This test measures copper concentration in hair samples, which can reflect long-term copper exposure and body stores. Hair mineral analysis is sometimes used in alternative medicine to assess nutritional status, though clinical evidence is limited. Abnormal copper levels may indicate dietary deficiency, toxicity from environmental exposure, or absorption problems. Copper is essential for energy production and immune function but toxic in excess.

Technical Information (LOINC Codes)

Standardized laboratory codes for this biomarker

5631-7Primary
Copper [Mass/volume] in Serum or Plasma
ug/dL
5629-1
Copper [Mass/mass] in Hair
ug/g
14665-4
Copper [Moles/volume] in Serum or Plasma
umol/L
20778-7
Copper [Mass/volume] in Specimen
ug/dL
56126-6
Copper [Mass/mass] in Liver
ug/g
12556-7
Copper [Mass/volume] in Blood
ug/dL
21219-1
Copper [Mass/volume] in 24 hour Urine
ug/dL
8198-4
Copper [Mass/mass] in Tissue
ug/g
5630-9
Copper [Mass/volume] in Red Blood Cells
ug/dL
30920-3
Copper [Mass/volume] in Urine collected for unspecified duration
ug/L
5632-5
Copper [Mass/volume] in Urine
ug/dL
5633-3
Copper [Mass/time] in 24 hour Urine
ug/(24.h)
57347-7
Copper [Mass/volume] in Dialysis fluid
ug/dL
87472-7
Copper [Mass/mass] in Specimen
ug/g
93728-4
Copper [Moles/volume] in Dialysis fluid
umol/L
9470-6
Copper [Mass/volume] in Water
[ppm]
99383-2
Copper [Moles/volume] in Water
umol/L
14666-2
Copper [Moles/time] in 24 hour Urine
nmol/(24.h)
16648-8
Copper [Mass/volume] in Body fluid
ug/dL
22744-7
Copper [Moles/volume] in Specimen
umol/L
25879-8
Copper [Moles/volume] in 24 hour Urine
umol/L
27124-7
Copper [Mass/mass] in Red Blood Cells
ug/g{Hb}
34273-3
Copper [Moles/volume] in Urine
umol/L
47100-3
Copper [Moles/volume] in Blood
umol/L
47101-1
Copper [Moles/volume] in Body fluid
umol/L
47102-9
Copper [Moles/volume] in Red Blood Cells
umol/L
47103-7
Copper [Moles/mass] in Hair
umol/g
52912-3
Copper [Moles/mass] in Tissue
umol/g