Copper deficiency as cause of unexplained hematologic and neurologic deficits in patient with prior gastrointestinal surgery.

J Am Board Fam Med · 2006

case_report · Level V

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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.