$28.00
Priced per marker, with baseline labs included. You’ll see your total before you pay.
Brain & nervous system
Copper (red blood cell) test
Copper inside red cells; may be more reflective of tissue stores than serum copper.
At a glance
In about 5 days
Most results are ready in about 5 days. Some specialty markers can take up to 21 days.
Check before your draw
This marker has no preparation tag, but it can still need preparation. Contact us before your draw if you’re not sure.
Walk in at Quest
Your lab order arrives by email. Most Quest locations take walk-ins, so bring it with a photo ID.
What it measures
Looks at the copper inside your red blood cells, rather than the copper in the liquid part of your blood. Copper helps your body make red blood cells, use iron and keep nerves healthy.
Why it matters for women
Estrogen, from pregnancy or birth control that contains it, can raise copper in the liquid part of your blood. Copper inside red cells is another view of your copper status that a doctor may look at next to the standard test. Low copper is uncommon but can cause anemia and nerve problems.
You might check it if…
- a standard copper test gave an unclear result
- you’ve had weight-loss surgery or trouble absorbing nutrients
- you notice numbness, tingling or trouble with balance
What your result may mean
High Copper (red blood cell): what it may mean
High RBC copper may point to more copper stored in the body, and it can help clarify copper status when serum results are unclear. Copper supplements or copper in drinking water can add to it. Estrogen can raise copper in the liquid part of your blood, so this test may be less swayed by pregnancy or birth control than serum copper. Too much copper can cause nausea, vomiting, belly pain or diarrhea, and some people may have no symptoms. A clinician may read it next to serum copper, ceruloplasmin and liver tests.
Low Copper (red blood cell): what it may mean
Low RBC copper may point to depleted tissue stores, even when serum copper looks normal. This may matter in pregnancy or on estrogen-containing birth control, since estrogen can lift serum copper and hide a shortfall. It can happen with too much zinc, malabsorption or weight-loss surgery. Low copper is uncommon, but it can cause anemia and nerve problems, and some people may notice tiredness, numbness or trouble with balance. A complete blood count and ceruloplasmin can help fill in the picture.
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These notes provide context and do not diagnose a condition. Not yet available in NY, NJ, RI, HI, ND, SD or WV.