title: Copper deficiency as cause of unexplained hematologic and neurologic deficits in patient with prior gastrointestinal surgery.
abstract: Copper is a trace mineral essential to hematopoiesis and to the structure and function of the nervous system. Copper deficiency is a rare cause of anemia, leukopenia, and myeloneuropathy, but should be considered in the differential diagnosis in a patient with prior gastrointestinal surgery. We report the case of a 51-year-old woman admitted for nonspecific neurologic symptoms ultimately found to be due to copper malabsorption.
authors.affiliation: Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA.
authors.forename: Joanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Mari
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ricker
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Muench
mesh_terms: D003300:Copper / Q000172:deficiency*; D005260:Female; D005743:Gastrectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008286:Malabsorption Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000209:etiology*
chemical_list: D003300:Copper