03/10/10 Wednesday's Results

During Rounds this morning we were told that two tests were back. One of the outstanding genetic tests came back and it was normal. Patricia and I aren't sure what this particular genetic test was supposed to cover since it wasn't one we were keeping an eye out for but it was normal so we're not too worried. We were also told that Eli's third ceruloplasmin test was back. This latest test was sent off to a lab in Chicago after the previous two tests came back with scores in the "less than 13" category. Whatever lab they were using previously couldn't measure the results at a level lower than 13 so we've been worrying about an "abnormal" result. Ceruloplasmin is a measure of copper carrying proteins in the blood. An abnormal result can indicate a copper deficiency and copper deficiencies are particularly bad. The result from the lab in Chicago indicated a ceruloplasmin level of 11 with normal being in the range of 8+. It turns out Eli is in the normal range which is a good sign. We are still waiting for final confirmation on the Menke's genetic test but we feel better that his copper tests are now being characterized as normal.