Ceruloplasmin (or caeruloplasmin) is officially known as ferroxidase or iron(II):oxygen oxidoreductase. It is an enzyme () synthesized in the liver containing 8 atoms of copper in its structure. Although it is often considered a copper transport protein, this is not its primary function, just as hemoglobin is not a carrier of iron, although it contains iron. The main carrier for copper in the plasma of humans is albumin. Ceruloplasmin (ferroxidase) catalyzes the oxidation of ferrous iron (Fe2+) to ferric iron (Fe3+), therefore assisting in its transport in the plasma in association with transferrin, which can only carry iron in the ferric state.

Interpretation

---

Decreased levels

Lower-than-normal ceruloplasmin levels may indicate:

• Menkes disease (Menke's kinky hair syndrome) (very rare)
• Wilson's disease (a rare copper storage disease)
• Overdose of Vitamin C
• Copper Deficiency

Elevated levels

Greater-than-normal ceruloplasmin levels may indicate:

• pregnancy
• lymphoma
• acute and chronic inflammation (it is an acute-phase reactant)
• rheumatoid arthritis

External link

---

Acute phase proteins | Chemical pathology | EC 1.16.3 | Hepatology

ferroxidase | ceruloplasmine | セルロプラスミン