Alternative Names & Classifications:
Hypocupremia (CLINICAL)
Description
Copper is an essential trace mineral necessary for iron absorption, energy production, and the cross-linking of collagen and elastin. Acquired deficiency is usually a consequence of excessive zinc ingestion (which outcompetes copper for intestinal absorption) or prior gastric bypass surgery. It famously mimics vitamin B12 deficiency, presenting with profound anemia and irreversible neurological damage if not caught early.