Copper deficiency | |
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Other names | Hypocupremia |
Ring Sideroblast smear, a sign of copper deficiency in the blood. | |
Specialty | Endocrinology ![]() |
Risk factors | Alcoholism, gastric bypass surgery |
Copper deficiency, or hypocupremia, is defined either as insufficient copper to meet the needs of the body, or as a serum copper level below the normal range.[1] Symptoms may include fatigue, decreased red blood cells, early greying of the hair, and neurological problems presenting as numbness, tingling, muscle weakness, and ataxia.[2] The neurodegenerative syndrome of copper deficiency has been recognized for some time in ruminant animals, in which it is commonly known as "swayback".[3] Copper deficiency can manifest in parallel with vitamin B12 and other nutritional deficiencies.[2]
Half
was invoked but never defined (see the help page).Jaiser, copper myelopathy
was invoked but never defined (see the help page).