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Epic Code LAB2 Copper, Liver Tissue

Additional Codes

Mayo Code: CUT

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester

Useful For

Diagnosing Wilson disease and primary biliary cirrhosis using liver tissue specimens

Specimen Type

Liver Tissue


Specimen Required


Supplies: Metal Free Specimen Vial (T173)

Container/Tube:

Preferred: Mayo metal-free specimen vial

Acceptable: Paraffin block, with no more than 1 or 2 cuts previously made

Specimen Volume: 2 mg

Collection Instructions: Two mg of liver tissue is required. This is typically a piece of tissue from a 22-gauge needle biopsy at least 2 cm long. If an 18-gauge needle is used, the tissue must be at least 1 cm in length.

Additional Information: Paraffin blocks will be returned 7 days after analysis is complete.


Specimen Minimum Volume

Needle biopsy: See Specimen Required; 2 mm x 2 mm (punch): 0.3 mg by dry weight

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time Special Container
Liver Tissue Refrigerated (preferred)
  Ambient 
  Frozen 

Reject Due To

  All specimens will be evaluated at Mayo Clinic Laboratories for test suitability.

Day(s) Performed

Monday, Thursday

Reference Values

<50 mcg/g dry weight

Clinical Information

Homeostatic regulation of copper metabolism is very complex. The liver is the key organ to facilitate copper storage and incorporation of copper into the transport protein ceruloplasmin. Intestinal absorption and biliary excretion also play major roles in the regulation of copper homeostasis.

 

Abnormal copper metabolism is associated with liver disease. Elevated serum copper concentrations are seen in portal cirrhosis, biliary tract disease, and hepatitis, probably due to excess copper that would normally be excreted in the bile is retained in circulation. In primary biliary cirrhosis, ceruloplasmin is high, resulting in high serum copper. Lesser elevations of hepatic copper are found in chronic copper poisoning, obstructive jaundice, and certain cases of hepatic cirrhosis. Reduced serum copper concentration is typical of Wilson disease (hepatolenticular degeneration). Wilson disease is characterized by liver disease, neurologic abnormalities, and psychiatric disturbances. Kayser-Fleischer rings are normally present and urinary copper excretion is increased, while serum copper and ceruloplasmin are low. Labile copper fraction (LBC fraction) is also elevated in untreated Wilson disease.

Cautions

Specimen handling should be minimized.

 

Elevated copper levels without supporting histology or other biochemical test results should instigate an investigation into whether the specimen has been contaminated.

 

A minimum tissue dry weight of 0.3 mg is required for analysis. This is the equivalent of a piece of tissue from a 22-gauge needle approximately 0.5 cm long, or approximately 0.3 cm in length when taken with an 18-gauge needle. Since the specimen must be manipulated during analysis, more than the minimal amount described in the previous sentence must be submitted for analysis.

 

Paraffin blocks that have been cut for slides may be contaminated if the microtome was previously used to cut specimens that had been fixed with a copper-containing solution. Many fixatives, such as Hollande's, contain high levels of copper. Any object that has been exposed to these fixatives (eg, cutting boards, towels, containers, utensils) and then comes into contact with the tissue can potentially contaminate the specimen. Rinsing and washing will not remove the copper contaminant. Therefore, submission of fresh-frozen, unfixed tissue is strongly recommended.

Interpretation

The constellation of symptoms associated with Wilson disease, which includes Kayser-Fleischer rings, behavior changes, and liver disease, is commonly associated with liver copper concentrations above 250 mcg/g dry weight.

 

VERY HIGH

>1000 mcg/g dry weight:

This finding is strongly suggestive of Wilson disease.

 

HIGH

250-1000 mcg/g dry weight:

This finding is suggestive of possible Wilson disease.

 

MODERATELY HIGH

50-250 mcg/g dry weight:

Excessive copper at this level can be associated with cholestatic liver disease, such as primary biliary cirrhosis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, autoimmune hepatitis, and familial cholestatic syndrome. Heterozygous carriers for Wilson disease occasionally have modestly elevated values but rarely higher than 125 mcg/g of dry weight. In general, the liver copper content is higher than 250 mcg/g dried tissue in patients with Wilson disease.

 

If any of the above findings are without supporting histology and other biochemical test results, contamination during collection, handling, or processing should be considered. Genetic testing for Wilson disease is available; order WNDZ / Wilson Disease, ATP7B Full Gene Sequencing with Deletion/Duplication, Varies. If additional assistance is needed, call 800-533-1710.

 

In patients with elevated levels of copper without supporting histology and other biochemical test results, contamination during collection, handling, or processing should be considered.

Reporting Name

Copper, Liver Ts

Method Name

Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS)

Method Description

The metal of interest is analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.(Unpublished Mayo method)

CPT Code Information

82525

LOINC Code Information

Test ID Test Order Name Order LOINC Value
CUT Copper, Liver Ts 8198-4

 

Result ID Test Result Name Result LOINC Value
8687 Copper, Liver Ts 8198-4

Report Available

3 to 6 days

Test Classification

This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.

Clinical Reference

1. Korman J, Volenberg I, Balko J, et al. Screening for Wilson disease in acute liver failure: a comparison of currently available diagnostic tests. Hepatology. 2008;48(4):1167-1174

2. Roberts EA, Schlisky ML. Diagnosis and Treatment of Wilson Disease: AASLD Practice Guidelines. Hepatology. 2008;47:2089-2111

3. de Bie P, Muller P, Wijmenga C, Klomp LW. Molecular pathogenesis of Wilson and Menkes disease: correlation of mutations with molecular defects and disease phenotypes. J Med Genet. 2007;44(11):673-688

4. Merle U, Schaefer M, Ferenci P, Stremmel W. Clinical presentation, diagnosis and long-term outcome of Wilson's disease: a cohort study. Gut. 2007;56:115-120

5.  Sodi R. Vitamins and trace elements. In: Rifai N, Chiu RWK, Young I, Burnham CAD, Wittwer CT, eds. Tietz Textbook of Laboratory Medicine. 7th ed. Elsevier; 2023:chap 39

6. Bitzer AC, Fox J, Day PL, et al. Establishment of a labile bound copper reference interval in a healthy population via an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry dual filtration-based assay. Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2023. doi:10.5858/arpa.2023-0259-OA

Forms

If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Gastroenterology and Hepatology Test Request (T728) with the specimen.