What happens if too much copper is removed through chelation?
When too much copper is removed, then there can be reductions in blood counts and inhibition of wound healing, amongst other possible effects. This is the reason that blood counts should be periodically monitored. The amount of copper can be gauged by reviewing the patterns of the 24- hour urine copper excretion as well as looking for the “non-ceruloplasmin” copper in the blood– this being done by a simultaneous measure of ceruloplasmin and serum copper. When these values are too low, excluding the possibility of non-compliance which can alter the interpretation of the urine copper excretion, then the dosages must be adjusted. – Michael Schilsky, M.D.
