9 Signs and Symptoms of Copper Deficiency

Copper is an important mineral that promotes skeletal health, as well as nerve and bone function. However, a shortage of copper content in the human body can lead to severe discomfort and health issues. Copper plays a crucial role in the production of haemoglobin and red blood cells, in addition to aiding the efficient utilisation of iron and oxygen in the bloodstream.

To prevent a copper deficiency in the body, it is essential to consume copper-rich foods such as nuts, seeds, liver, wild-caught fish, specific whole grains, beans, and certain vegetables. Since the body requires copper regularly and cannot store it in sufficient quantities, incorporating these foods into your diet becomes important.

What is Copper Deficiency?

Copper deficiency is characterized by a shortage of copper in the body. The recommended daily allowance (RDA) for copper is 900 micrograms (or 0.9 milligrams) per day. Generally, people obtain the required amount of copper through their diet, supplements, and water that comes from copper pipes. However, there are instances when individuals do not receive sufficient copper content, leading to various health conditions caused by this deficiency. People who are underweight and suffer from a lack of calories are more susceptible to copper deficiency.

What Causes Copper Deficiencies?

Copper deficiency is primarily caused by genetic factors or inheritance. Potential causes of inherited copper deficiency include poor absorption, malnutrition, or excessive intake of zinc. Moreover, exceedingly high levels of iron, often stemming from supplements, can also hinder copper absorption. Zinc is another essential nutrient that interacts closely with copper, and an excessive intake of zinc can deplete copper levels.

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Copper Deficiencies?

Here are 9 signs and symptoms of copper deficiency –

1. Fatigue and Weakness

One of the primary reasons for weakness and exhaustion could be a deficiency of copper in the human body. Copper plays a crucial role in the absorption of iron. When copper levels are low, the body may absorb less iron, leading to iron deficiency anaemia—a condition characterised by insufficient oxygen transport in the body. This lack of oxygen can result in quicker fatigue and weakness. Additionally, copper is essential for the production of Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP), the body’s primary energy source. Therefore, a copper deficiency can contribute to low energy levels, promoting weakness and fatigue.

2. Weak and Brittle Bones

A person with fragile and brittle bones is said to have osteoporosis. The condition worsens with age and is usually connected to copper deficiency. The bones’ internal cross-linking mechanisms involve the use of copper, which ensures that bones are robust and healthy. Additionally, copper stimulates the body to produce enough osteoblasts to support bone tissue remodelling and augmentation.

3. Loss of Vision

Long-term copper deficiency can result in vision loss. Numerous enzymes that support the nervous system need copper to function properly. It appears that individuals who have undergone digestive system surgery, such as gastric bypass surgery, are more prone to copper deficiency, which might cause visual loss. This is because these procedures usually make it difficult for the body to absorb copper efficiently.

4. Frequent Sickness

Patients with copper deficiency are more likely to be prone to illness. That’s because copper is essential for keeping the immune system in good shape. Low copper levels can make it difficult for your body to produce immune cells. As a result, the white blood cell count could be significantly reduced, impairing the body’s ability to fight illness. Studies have shown that neutrophils – the white blood cells that act as the first line of defence in the human body – are produced in low quantities due to copper deficiency. 

5. Memory Problems

Copper deficiency can impair learning and memory abilities in humans. This is because copper plays a role in the growth and function of the brain. The enzymes that contribute to the brain’s defence mechanisms, energy supply, and signal transmission to the body require sufficient copper.

Copper deficiency has also been connected to conditions like Alzheimer’s disease that impair brain development, thus affecting the learning and memory abilities of the brain. A study revealed that individuals with Alzheimer’s have up to 70% less copper content in their brains compared to people without copper deficiency.

6. Pale Skin

Melanin is a pigment that influences a person’s skin colour. People with darker skin have more melanin than those with lighter skin. The enzymes responsible for producing melanin require copper. However, due to a lack of copper content, the enzymes produce a smaller amount of melanin, resulting in pale skin.

7. Difficulty in Walking

A lack of copper can make it more difficult for someone to walk properly. Copper is used by enzymes to maintain the working condition of the spinal cord. Enzymes assist in insulating the spinal cord, allowing impulses to travel from the brain to the body. However, when there is a copper deficiency, the enzymes don’t function properly, leading to reduced spinal cord insulation. This limitation affects the transmission of signals from the brain to the rest of the body. Thus, copper deficiency may result in a lack of coordination and unsteadiness due to impaired signals.

8. Premature Gray Hair

Copper deficiency may contribute to premature greying of the hair because low copper levels might hinder the production of melanin – a pigment found in the human body that affects hair colour. While there have been some studies on the relationship between copper shortage and melanin pigment production, very few studies have explicitly focused on the connection between copper deficiency and grey hair. A more definitive link between the two would be established with further human-based studies in this area.

9. Sensitivity to Cold

A copper deficit may cause a person to become more sensitive to chilly weather. Along with other minerals like zinc, copper plays a role in maintaining a healthy thyroid gland function.

According to studies, copper levels are directly related to the concentrations of thyroid hormones T3 and T4. These thyroid hormone levels decrease with low blood copper levels, which might impair the functioning of the thyroid gland. Low thyroid hormone levels can cause a person to feel colder. This is due to the malfunctioning of the thyroid gland, which is unable to produce enough heat and regulate metabolism.

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