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Copper, zinc & the bigger picture

Meet zinc, hear the related pyrrole discussion, and explore why copper appears in the fibromyalgia archive. Finish with the written introduction to non-ceruloplasmin-bound copper.

Use the NCC calculator
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01
WATCH

Get to know zinc

Begin with Dr. Purser’s introduction to zinc.

Everyday Benefits of Zinc
02
WATCH

Explore the pyrrole discussion

Hear the relationship between pyrrole disorder and zinc discussed in this video.

Pyrrole Disorder and Zinc Levels!
03
WATCH

Follow copper into the pain conversation

Explore Dr. Purser’s perspective on high copper and fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia Caused by High Serum Copper Level?
04
READ

Make sense of the NCC terminology

Read the introduction to non-ceruloplasmin-bound copper; the original source includes its calculator.

Using the NCC Formula

MAKE SENSE OF YOUR COPPER RESULTS

Non-ceruloplasmin copper calculator

Use your zinc, total copper, and ceruloplasmin blood results to estimate NCC and the copper:zinc ratio.

Zinc
Total copper
Ceruloplasmin

Copy the units exactly. Use blood results collected together when available; your clinician can help if collection dates or sample types differ.

How this estimate works

This uses the formula in Dr. Purser’s handout: NCC (µg/dL) = total copper (µg/dL) − 3 × ceruloplasmin (mg/dL). NCC percentage = NCC ÷ total copper × 100. Copper:zinc ratio = total copper ÷ zinc, using the same units.

Calculated NCC is an estimate. Test methods and how much copper is bound to ceruloplasmin can affect it. It differs from a direct lab measurement of labile or exchangeable copper. It cannot diagnose fibromyalgia or copper toxicity, or choose treatment for you. Read about the limits of calculated NCC at Mayo Clinic Laboratories ↗

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