Medical Questions » Blood Questions » Question No. 137
| Question: | Is excess copper in the blood dangerous? |
| Answer: | Copper is only required in the blood in minute quantities, and any excess is usually excreted through the liver and gut. If excess copper accumulates in the body, it affects the liver first, and can cause cirrhosis and liver failure.
It is most unusual to find a patient with excess copper unless they have been taking large quantities of the metal in tablet form. It is almost impossible to obtain too much through the diet.
There is a rare inherited disease known as Wilson' s disease, in which the body is unable to cope adequately with copper, and the levels slowly increase over the years, causing more and more damage to the vital organs. There is no adequate treatment for Wilson' s disease. |
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