Copper deficiency due to the reduced activity of cuproenzymes can have serious health issues because copper is an essential trace mineral crucial for multiple physiological functions. Low copper levels, aka copper deficiency, have several symptoms, including weakness, fatigue, impaired growth and development, anemia, and neurological issues.

Maintaining adequate copper levels is crucial for overall health and well-being. Therefore, eating foods high in copper, like liver, seeds, nuts, beans, wild-caught fish, certain whole grains, and certain vegetables, is the best way to treat copper deficiency.

In this article, we will unleash copper deficiency symptoms and their treatment in detail. So, keep reading this guide till the end!

What Are The Major Copper Deficiency Symptoms?

Copper deficiency symptoms vary and affect body functions differently depending on the type, whether you have acquired or inherited deficiency. Acquired copper deficiency causes hematologic and immune-related symptoms, neurologic and sensory-related, and tissue-related symptoms.

Here are some signs and symptoms of copper deficiency.

Body Fatigue and Weakness:

Hematologic copper deficiency can cause fatigue and weakness. As copper is necessary for iron absorption from the gut, its deficiency causes less iron absorption. This low iron absorption can cause iron deficiency anemia, a disorder in which the body fails to carry enough oxygen to its tissues. This low oxygen content can make you weaker and feel more tired.

In addition, cells use copper to generate ATP, the body's main energy source. This means copper deficiency also causes low energy levels, resulting in fatigue and weakness.

Weak and Fragile Bones:

Tissue-related symptoms of copper deficiency can make your bones weak and brittle, resulting in osteoporosis. It's because copper is involved in cross-linking inside your bones and its deficiency leads to fragile bones.

Osteoporosis becomes more common with age and is associated with copper deficiency.

An analysis of eight studies found that people with osteoporosis are more deficient in copper than healthy adults.

Issues With Learning and Memory:

Copper deficiency neurological symptoms can make it harder to learn and remember. That's because copper is essential for proper brain functioning and development. Enzymes use copper to supply energy to the brain, facilitate the brain's defense system, and transmit signals to the body.

On the other hand, copper deficiency can lead to diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease that stunt brain development and affect the process of learning and remembering.

Pale Skin:

Enzymes producing the skin pigment melanin use copper during its production. Therefore, copper deficiency can lead to less production of this skin pigment. Copper deficiency skin symptoms due to less melanin production can result in pale or darker skin.

However, more research is needed to investigate the link between pale skin and copper deficiency.

Premature Grey and Kinky Hair:

Hair color is due to a pigment called melanin and as stated copper is actively involved in the production of this pigment. Therefore, copper deficiency can also lead to less melanin production, resulting in premature grey hair. Children with inherited copper deficiency symptoms can have kinky hair.

While some studies have analyzed the relationship between copper deficiency and melanin pigment formation, hardly any studies have explored the link between copper deficiency and gray hair. Therefore, more human research is needed in this regard.

Vision Loss:

Long-term copper deficiency can cause vision loss which is a serious condition.

Many enzymes use copper to ensure the proper functioning of the nervous system. Therefore, copper deficiency affects the functioning of those enzymes, which causes problems with the nervous system, resulting in vision loss.

Vision loss due to copper deficiency is more common among people who have had digestive tract surgeries because surgeries greatly affect the body's ability to absorb copper.

Treatment of Copper Deficiency

In some cases, the damage done due to copper deficiency becomes largely irreversible. However, success has been found in treating neurological copper deficiencies if treatment begins before two months of age. In acquired copper deficiency cases, such as anemia and neuropathy, copper supplementation is associated with improvement in symptoms and quality of life.

Following are some of the copper treatments suggested for better health.

Suggested Copper Intake for Improved Health:

The Institute of Medicine recommends the daily copper deficiency treatment dose for people with normal absorption.

• For children who are 1 to 3 years of age: 340 mcg/day
• For children who are 4 to 8 years of age: 440 mcg/day
• For children who are 9 to 13 years of age: 700 mcg/day
• For adolescents with 14 to 18 years of age: 890 mcg/day
• For adults of 19 years and older:
• For pregnant females: 1,000 mcg/day
• For lactating females: 1,300 mcg/day

These are some copper doses recommended for different age groups.

Eat Copper-Rich Foods:

Copper is present in different foods that can be eaten to treat copper deficiency symptoms. Eating a variety of healthy foods can supplement the dietary requirements of copper and other essential vitamins and minerals. Copper-rich foods used to meet copper dietary requirements include:

• Oysters
• Crab meat
• Shellfish
• Nuts
• Cashew nut
• Whole grains
• Beans
• Potatoes
• Sunflower seeds
• Kidney and liver
• Dark leafy greens
• Chocolate

Copper Supplements:

After analyzing the copper deficiency symptoms, your physician may recommend copper supplements with medication that you can eat either by mouth or intravenously, such as:

• Copper Histidine: A copper supplement that is given intravenously for people with limited copper absorption in the stomach and intestine.
• Copper sulfate: This supplement is given orally to people with copper deficiency symptoms.

When To Consult Your Doctor for Copper Deficiency Medication?

If you are experiencing copper deficiency symptoms and have related conditions, you should consult your doctor for medical attention.

As given, the symptoms of copper deficiency are vague and non-specific. However, if you experience fatigue, weakness, or have anemia that has not improved with iron intake, and have another nutritional or gastrointestinal condition, consult your physician if copper deficiency may be the cause. Your physician may recommend some tests to evaluate your body's copper levels.

Final Words About Symptoms and Treatment of Copper Deficiency

It may be challenging to diagnose copper deficiency symptoms, but muscle fatigue, weakness, vision loss, premature grey hair, weak and brittle bones, and pale skin are some of the key symptoms of copper deficiency.

Treatment for copper deficiency symptoms includes taking suggested copper intake doses specified for each age group, eating copper-rich foods such as beans, nuts, shellfish, and more, and proper copper supplementation either by mouth or intravenously.

If you are facing serious copper deficiency conditions like anemia, you should consult your physician.