Copper is an essential trace element. Copper-containing enzymes play important roles in iron and catecholamine metabolism, free radical scavenging, and in the synthesis of hemoglobin, elastin, and collagen. Copper is mainly present in ceruloplasmin in the liver. Low levels of copper have been associated with mental retardation, depigmentation, anemia, hypotonia, and scorbutic changes in bone. Levels of copper are key diagnostic indicator of diseases such as Wilson′s disease, microcytic hypochromic anemia, and bone disease due to reduced collagen synthesis.
