Also known as: Cu, Plasma, Cu, Serum.

Used along with serum ceruloplasmin and urine copper in monitoring the nutritional adequacy of parenteral or enteral nutrition, especially when copper deficiency may be suspected because of ongoing gastrointestinal losses of the element and in testing for Wilson disease. The test is performed in suspected copper toxicity in premature infants when they are acutely ill and may not be able to assimilate the copper in their prescribed nutrition; in acute copper intoxications; or in “Indian childhood cirrhosis,” an illness which is not limited to Indian children.