Ceruloplasmin is both an acute phase protein and a copper transport protein.
Ceruloplasmin levels may be elevated by infection, inflammation or oestrogen effects.
Ceruloplasmin levels may be reduced in Wilson's disease, or in rare acquired copper deficiencies (excessive zinc intake, persistent infantile diarrhoea, severe malabsorption or kwashiorkor).
Copper is incorporated into the ceruloplasmin structure by metallothionein during synthesis in the liver. The absence of metallothionein (Wilson's Disease) can result in the decrease of serum ceruloplasmin levels, leading to the accumulation of copper in the liver, kidneys, skin, brain (with associated neurological symptoms) and also the cornea of the eye (Kayser-Fleischer Ring).
Protein Lab
CER
Caeruloplasmin
Copper Binding Protein
3 days
3217