Studies on Copper Metabolism. XXVI. Plasma Copper in Patients with Tropical Sprue.

Abstract
1. Plasma copper was determined in 29 patients with sprue in relapse, 27 patients with sprue in remission, and 6 patients with megaloblastic anemia of pregnancy. 2. Mean plasma copper concentration (± 1 S.D.) in patients with sprue in relapse was 87 ± 33 μg%; in treated patients, 114 ± 33; and in patients with megaloblastic anemia of pregnancy, 159 (105 − 242). 3. It is suggested that hypocupremia in sprue may frequently be due primarily to an inability to synthesize the protein portion of ceruloplasmin. In a few patients malabsorption of copper may be a contributing factor.