I'm a 34yo male in otherwise good health. Over the past year I've developed some neurological symptoms like insomnia, anxiety, mild tremor, mild tingling extremeties. I noticed the faucet I've been drinking from every day had green stains-- obviously copper. So I did testing and looks like copper overload. My doctor said its not WD because liver is normal, urine copper is normal, and will not order further testing. I don't paticularly want a liver biopsy yet, but should I demand a KF eye test? Is there a reliable genetic test? What do you think of these labs?
Liver tests normal
Hair test copper: 28 [10-28 ug/g]
WBC (spectracell) copper: 56 [>42%]
Serum ceruloplasmin: 17.5 [16.2-35.6 mg/dl]
Serum copper: 69 [70-155 ug/dl]
24h urine copper: 9 [2-30 mcg/L]
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Does this sound like WD or just copper overload?
- By leanguy
- Posted November 19, 2008 at 5:31 pm · 9 replies
- In Getting a diagnosis
- Shared with the public
- Edited November 19, 2008 at 5:35 pm
Explore topics in this discussion:
Exercise Allergies Anxiety Insomnia Dieting Cortisol Tremor Stress
9 replies
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- By Heron
- Posted November 20, 2008 at 9:55 pm
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Hi leanguy,
I was diagnosed with WD 7 years ago based on liver symptoms. I'm sorry that you're experiencing the anxiety, tremor, and other symptoms. I hope you get some answers soon.
I'm not a doctor, but if I were you I would get my water tested to find out whether you've actually been exposed to high levels of copper. I don't think a green stain by itself is definitive. And of course if something is wrong with your water, you should get it fixed.
If your copper levels are high, it seems strange that your serum copper would be low -- I'd expect the reverse.
So maybe once you know the water's OK you should wait a few months and get tested again.
Given your circumstances, I'm not sure what KF ring testing would tell you. I think that over exposure to copper might produce KF rings even if you don't have WD, but I could be wrong.
The best course of all would be to send your questions to a WD center of expertise.
Good luck with everything.
Ann
- By sismeliss
- Posted November 28, 2008 at 11:11 am
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Hi,
I'm sorry you are having these problems too. I was just curious about your liver numbers. Are they elevated at all?
- By leanguy
- Posted November 28, 2008 at 12:54 pm
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Liver tests are normal which is why I doubt its WD. I believe its a condition called "biounavailable copper" where copper gets deposited in the tissue but can't be utilized because of low ceruloplasmin, which can occur due to adrenal fatigue.
Thanks for your replies.
- By SearchingforAnswers
- Posted January 7, 2009 at 11:40 am
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Hi, I'm new here, so I don't really know what I'm doing, but wanted to respond to leanguy. Sorry I don't have any answers for you, but my 18 yr old daughter has the similar issues/results as you and I was wondering if you have found out any more information?
I know we have copper leaching from our pipes and her and I both have adrenal fatigue. Can anyone direct me what to do or where to look? And/or how do I find out more about genetic testing?
- By leanguy
- Posted January 7, 2009 at 1:20 pm
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I don't think I have WD... my subsequent ceruloplasmin test was 26... healthy range.
I also think its adrenal fatigue from drinking copper tainted water. Copper destroys nutrients needed by the adrenals like vitamin c, zinc, b5. I've started replacing these along with clean water.
Look for the book "Why am I always so tired?". It talks about the effects of copper overload and what to do aout it. For adrenal fatigue, there is a wealth of information to be found by googling.
- By SearchingforAnswers
- Posted January 7, 2009 at 2:43 pm
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Thank you for your reply.
I'm curious if you've had your adrenal functioning tested (saliva cortisol) and whether or not you've experienced any improvement?
I've been taking the supplements prescribed by my hair analysis to try to correct my high copper. The adrenal (glandular) complex included with them seems to make a difference in my energy/ability to deal with stress. But, I don't know a lot about them, so I've been a little hesistant to start giving them to my daughter - especially before a diagnosis.
Have you or anyone else out there had any experience with them or other herbal formulas that support adrenal glands?
Thanks to everyone who is reading
- By leanguy
- Posted January 7, 2009 at 2:48 pm
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I have done way more testing, and spent way more money than I like to admit :)
My cortisol is low, but OTC products don't seem to help much. Probably because I refuse to stop lifting weights, my main stressor. Isocort is the most effective thing I've tried, but of course it has cortisol in it. If you take too much cortisol, it will shut down your body's production and you may need to take it for life. Safest bet is herbs like ashwaghanda and licorice root.
- By SearchingforAnswers
- Posted January 8, 2009 at 10:25 pm
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Thanks for the advice.
I'm familiar with exercise addiction. Over-doing cardio is part of what got me where I am (that and "dieting", or letting my blood sugar go too low = stress to the adrenals). In the spring I tried doing weights instead, but found that it made me extremely sore for days and led to a diagnosis of chronic fatigue.
I have since found that the Adrenal Complex (glandular) seems to help with muscle soreness.
Might I ask what you do for protein? Do you take amino acids? I've heard that tyrosine is good for the adrenals. We don't eat red meat (unfortunately the best source of zinc) and have a lot of food allergies, so getting enough protein a challenge.
I wonder, does anyone else reading this have any of these issues?
- By leanguy
- Posted January 9, 2009 at 10:10 am
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I don't think you'll find much about adrenals here. Glandular is good for adrenals. Tyrosine is more for thyroid. I take whey protein and I'm one of those who think red meat is good for you, as long as its natural beef :)
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