Copper deficiency (also known as hypocupraemia) is unusual due to the ubiquity of copper in the normal diet.
On this page:
Epidemiology
Copper deficiency is thought to be rare, but exact numbers are difficult to ascertain.
Clinical presentation
The typical presentation of copper deficiency mimics the more common vitamin B12 deficiency, which will usually need to be excluded first.
- blood dyscrasias e.g. anaemia, leucopenia, thrombocytopenia
- neurotoxicity e.g. neuropathy, myelopathy, visual impairment
Pathology
Aetiology
- artificial alimentation e.g. total parenteral nutrition, chronic tubal feeding
- post-surgical e.g. post-gastrectomy, bariatric surgery
- excessive zinc intake
- alcoholism (rare) 1
Radiographic features
Copper deficiency myeloneuropathy may produce identical neuroradiological findings to subacute combined degeneration of the cord and therefore be indistinguishable.
Treatment and prognosis
Cocoa is often trialled initially as it contains copper naturally in reasonable amounts and is palatable to the patient 1. In cases where gastrointestinal dysfunction is the underlying issue then intravenous copper administration may be required.
Unable to process the form. Check for errors and try again.