---
title: Copper Test
type: biomarker
url: "https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/copper"
also_known_as:
  - copper
  - cu
category: Metabolic Health
units:
  - mcg/dL
  - ug/dL
order_price_usd: 31.99
order_item: Copper
order_url: "https://www.test-well.com/tests/copper"
reviewed_at: 2026-09-08
---

# Copper

> Copper is measured with a standard blood draw; no fasting is needed. A typical reference range is 70.0 – 140 mcg/dL (male, age 18+; more bands below). At TestWell it's $31.99 all-in as Copper, results in 3–5 business days, drawn at Quest or Labcorp. An out-of-range result is a prompt to look closer, not a diagnosis.

Also known as: copper, cu.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Units | mcg/dL / ug/dL |
| Sample | Blood draw |
| Fasting | Not required |
| Results | 3–5 business days |
| Price | $31.99 |
| Labs | Quest or Labcorp |

## What does Copper measure?

A trace mineral essential for iron metabolism, energy production, and connective tissue health.

## What is the normal range for Copper?

| Population | Reference range |
| --- | --- |
| Male, age 18+ | 70.0 – 140 mcg/dL |
| Female, age 18+ | 80.0 – 155 mcg/dL |

Reference intervals differ slightly between labs; the range printed on your report is the one to interpret against. Ranges are usually set so 95% of healthy people fall inside them.

## What does a high Copper mean?

High serum copper most often reflects inflammation, infection, pregnancy or oral estrogens, because copper travels bound to ceruloplasmin, an acute-phase protein that estrogen also raises. Liver disease, some cancers, copper supplements and rarely copper-contaminated water or cookware contribute. Wilson disease, the inherited copper-overload disorder, typically shows a LOW serum copper (low ceruloplasmin) with high free copper and urine copper — so a high total copper largely argues against it.

### Common causes of high Copper

1. Inflammation, infection, rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory conditions
2. Pregnancy, oral contraceptives, estrogen therapy
3. Liver disease, biliary obstruction
4. Copper supplements, high-copper water or cookware
5. Some cancers, hyperthyroidism
6. Hemochromatosis (mild)

### Symptoms that go with high Copper

- None from copper itself in most cases
- Nausea, abdominal pain, headache with acute excess

### What clinicians usually check next

- Ceruloplasmin and CRP at the same time — most high values are explained by them
- Liver panel
- Zinc (copper and zinc oppose each other)
- 24-hour urine copper only when Wilson disease or toxicity is a real question

Follow-up tests at TestWell: [Zinc](https://www.test-well.com/tests/zinc) ($26.99), [C-Reactive Protein (CRP)](https://www.test-well.com/tests/crp) ($26.99).

**Does high copper mean Wilson disease?** Usually the opposite. Wilson disease lowers ceruloplasmin and therefore total serum copper; the excess is 'free' copper, which needs a calculation or a urine collection to show. A high total copper with a high ceruloplasmin is inflammation or estrogen.

## What does a low Copper mean?

Low copper is under-recognized and increasingly seen after bariatric surgery and with long-term high-dose zinc supplements (including denture creams), which block copper absorption. Malabsorption, malnutrition, prolonged tube feeding, and Menkes disease in infants are other causes. Deficiency produces anemia and low neutrophils that don't respond to iron, and a slowly progressive nerve and spinal-cord problem that mimics B12 deficiency — reversible if caught early.

### Common causes of low Copper

1. High-dose zinc supplements or lozenges over months, zinc-containing denture cream
2. Bariatric surgery (gastric bypass, duodenal switch), celiac disease, short bowel
3. Malnutrition, prolonged parenteral or enteral nutrition without copper
4. Nephrotic syndrome, excess iron supplementation
5. Wilson disease (low ceruloplasmin, low total copper — but copper overload in tissues)
6. Menkes disease (infants, rare)

### Symptoms that go with low Copper

- Fatigue, pallor, frequent infections (anemia and neutropenia)
- Numbness and tingling, unsteady gait, weakness in the legs — the myeloneuropathy that resembles B12 deficiency
- Premature gray hair, brittle bones

### What clinicians usually check next

- Ceruloplasmin, CBC with differential, zinc, B12
- Stop excess zinc; review surgical and nutritional history
- Neurology review if nerve symptoms are present; copper repletion is directed by a clinician
- 24-hour urine copper and liver panel if Wilson disease is possible (young adults with liver or neurological signs)

Follow-up tests at TestWell: [CBC with Differential](https://www.test-well.com/tests/cbc-with-differential) ($21.99), [CBC (Complete Blood Count)](https://www.test-well.com/tests/cbc) ($21.99), [Zinc](https://www.test-well.com/tests/zinc) ($26.99).

### Seek care promptly if

- Low copper with progressive leg weakness, unsteady walking or loss of sensation — prompt evaluation; nerve damage becomes permanent if untreated

**How does zinc cause copper deficiency?** Zinc induces a gut protein (metallothionein) that traps copper in intestinal cells, so it is excreted rather than absorbed. Months of 40+ mg/day of zinc — common with immune-support dosing — is enough.

## How do you get tested for Copper?

| Order | Type | Price | Includes |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Copper](https://www.test-well.com/tests/copper) | Single test | $31.99 | This marker |
| [Vitamin & Mineral Deficiency Panel](https://www.test-well.com/tests/vitamin-mineral-panel) | Panel | $189.99 | 9 tests |
| [Women's Hair Health Panel](https://www.test-well.com/tests/womens-hair-health-panel) | Panel | $469.99 | 19 tests |
| [Total Body Panel](https://www.test-well.com/tests/total-body-panel) | Panel | $499.99 | 49 tests |
| [Men's Hair Health Panel](https://www.test-well.com/tests/mens-hair-health-panel) | Panel | $499.99 | 19 tests |

## Quest vs Labcorp vs BioReference

| Lab | Available | Price | Notes |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Quest Diagnostics | Yes | $31.99 | Choose Quest at checkout; walk-in patient service centers in every state TestWell serves outside NY and NJ. |
| Labcorp | Yes | $31.99 | Choose Labcorp at checkout; walk-in patient service centers in every state TestWell serves outside NY and NJ. |
| BioReference (NY & NJ) | No | — | Not available in NY/NJ for this test. |

## Common questions about Copper

### Do I need a doctor's order to test my copper?

No. TestWell's licensed physician network reviews and approves your order — usually within minutes. You can place an order online without an in-person visit or a referral from your own doctor.

### How long does it take to get Copper results?

Most Copper results are available in 1–3 business days after your specimen arrives at the lab. You'll get an email the moment your results are ready, with everything viewable in your TestWell portal.

### How much does a Copper test cost?

Our Copper starts at $31.99. That's the all-in price — no copays, no insurance hoops, no surprise bills. HSA and FSA cards are accepted.

### Do I need to fast before my Copper test?

Fasting is not required for the Copper test. You can have your blood drawn any time of day.

### Which lab will process my Copper test?

Your test will be processed by Quest Diagnostics, Labcorp, or BioReference depending on which is closest to you and which lab carries the test. All three are CLIA-certified and trusted by hospitals nationwide. You'll choose your lab during checkout from 4,000+ locations.

## Sources

- [Mayo Clinic Labs](https://www.mayocliniclabs.com/test-catalog/overview/8612)
- [Testing.com (AACC) — Copper Blood Test: Check Your Levels, Get Results](https://www.testing.com/tests/copper/)

## Related biomarkers

- [Glucose](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/glucose)
- [Creatinine](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/creatinine)
- [eGFR](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/egfr)
- [BUN](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/bun)
- [ALT](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/alt)
- [AST](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/ast)

- [Reference range lookup tool](https://www.test-well.com/tools/reference-range-lookup)
- [Lab unit converter](https://www.test-well.com/tools/lab-unit-converter)
- [All biomarkers](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers)

---

Medically reviewed by Youmna DiStefano, MD (Medical Reviewer, TestWell); last reviewed 2026-09-08. Review policy: https://www.test-well.com/reviewers/youmna-distefano-md

Canonical page: https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/copper
Machine-readable catalog: https://www.test-well.com/api/catalog.json · MCP server: https://www.test-well.com/mcp · Overview for agents: https://www.test-well.com/llms.txt

Prices are cash-pay, in USD, and include physician authorization; every order adds one flat $6 lab processing fee. Educational content is not a diagnosis — discuss results with a clinician.