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Copper, Red Blood Cells
Ordering Recommendation
May be useful for exposure monitoring or investigation. Copper concentrations in red blood cells (RBCs) reflect the intracellular stores and general homeostasis of copper. For clinical assessment of copper deficiency or toxicity, refer to Copper, Serum or Plasma (0020096).
New York DOH Approval Status
Specimen Required
Royal blue (K2EDTA) or royal blue (NaHep).
Centrifuge whole blood and separate RBCs from plasma within 2 hours of collection. Submit packed RBCs in original collection tube OR transfer 2 mL RBCs to an ARUP Trace Element-Free Transport Tube (ARUP supply #43116) available online through eSupply using ARUP Connect™ or contact ARUP Client Services at (800) 522-2787. (Min: 0.6 mL)
Room temperature. Also acceptable: Refrigerated.
Specimens collected in tubes other than royal blue (K2EDTA) or royal blue (NaHep). Specimens transported in containers other than royal blue (K2EDTA) or royal blue (NaHep) tube or trace element-free transport tube. Clotted or grossly hemolyzed specimens.
After separation from plasma: Ambient: 2 weeks; Refrigerated: 2 weeks; Frozen: Unacceptable
Methodology
Quantitative Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry
Performed
Sun-Sat
Reported
1-4 days
Reference Interval
59.0-91.0 mcg/dL
Interpretive Data
Copper concentrations in RBCs reflect the intracellular stores and general homeostasis of Copper. Results may be falsely elevated if RBCs in the submitted specimen are lysed or not promptly separated from plasma.
Laboratory Developed Test (LDT)
Note
Hotline History
CPT Codes
82525
Components
| Component Test Code* | Component Chart Name | LOINC |
|---|---|---|
| 3003757 | Copper, RBCs | 5630-9 |
Aliases
- Cu RBCs
- Intracellular Copper
