Risk Factors and Signs of Copper Deficiency
Risk Factors:
 • Gastrointestinal: Previous upper bowel resection/bariatric surgery, Inflammatory bowel disease, Chronic diarrhoea, Short bowel syndrome, Cystic fibrosis
 • Medications: Proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use
 • Excess Zinc: Overuse of zinc, Ingestion of dental fixatives, Treatment of Wilson's disease
 • Metabolic: Menkes disease
 • Nutritional: Decreased consumption of copper-rich foods, Total parenteral nutrition/jejunal nutrition, Excess alcohol consumption, Malnutrition
Signs:
 • Cardiovascular: Hypercholesterolaemia, Ischaemic heart disease, Stroke, Myocardial infarction, Sudden death
 • Musculoskeletal: Low bone mineral density, Impaired growth in children
 • Haematological: Anaemia, Leucopenia, Neutropenia, Thrombocytopenia, Dysplastic haematopoiesis with or without ring sideroblasts
 • Neurological: Myelopathy, Peripheral neuropathy, Optic neuropathy, Ataxia

Dr. Keith Siau @drkeithsiau

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