Wilsons section-Autoimmune diseases

Diseases/Disorders caused by a Deficiency of Copper

1. Toxicity-related Disorders (contributed by Ashley Patterson)
   

   Wilsons-Disease.htm

    

• Wilson’s Disease is a genetic disorder in which the body cannot remove copper from the body causing it to build up mainly in the liver, brain, and kidneys. One sign of Wilson’s disease is a brown ring around the iris where copper pigments have deposited around the eye. The reason for over accumulation is the lack of the production by the liver of a key protein, ceruloplasmin, which transports copper through the body. Results of Wilson’s disease can be fatal if left untreated causing liver cirrhosis or neurological disorders. Treatment includes lifelong avoidance of foods high in copper as well as administering a copper chelating agent to remove it from the body through urinary excretion.
• Miscellaneous information about higher levels of copper:

May cause cardiovascular abnormalities and/or damage and increase atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease but further research needs to be done.

Excessive intakes through leaching of pipes or copper cookware may lead to abdominal pains, cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and liver damage.

Copper toxicity when paired with a zinc deficiency may lead to head aches, joint pain, autism, schizophrenia, hypertension, fatigue, and hyperactivity but further research is required to prove these relationships.

1. Deficiency-related Issues (contributed by Julie Conant)

• Menkes disease: a genetic disorder which causes dangerously low levels of copper. Infants born with this disorder have low numbers of white blood cells (neutrophils) to fight off infections. When those with Menkes are given copper supplementation, their immune responses generally improve.
• Miscellaneous information about copper deficiency:

Relatively rare

Might be caused by consuming too much zinc over a prolonged period of time

Impairs iron metabolism and may cause ‘copper-deficiency anemia’

Appears as anemia that doesn’t respond to iron therapy but does respond to copper therapy

May result from low levels of neutrophils, a type of white blood cell (this deficiency is known as neutropenia)

High-risk individuals for copper deficiencies include:

• Low-birth weight infants and young children born with copper deficiency
• Infants and children fed formula from only cow’s milk (which is low in copper)
• Infants and adults with osteoporosis
• Premature infants
• Those who are malnourished for a variety of reasons:

1. Long bouts of diarrhea
2. Malabsorption syndromes: Celiac sprue, Crohn’s, Short Bowel Syndrome
3.  Those with heavily restricted diets or are receiving IV nutrition such as Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN)
4.  Those with cystic fibrosis