Copper Cautions
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General warnings and precautions
Certain people should not take copper supplements:
- People with Wilson's disease and people with Menkes syndrome
People with Wilson's disease and Menkes syndrome have a metabolic disorder which causes them to accumulate abnormally higher than normal levels of copper in the body. Copper supplementation is not advised as it can really exacerbate their condition.
Certain people should seek medical advice before taking copper supplements:
- Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding
Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding and are considering taking copper supplements should consult with their doctor before taking them.
Certain people should seek medical advice before taking copper supplements and others should not take them at all
Toxic Levels of Copper
Copper is toxic at doses greater than 40mg per day.
Overdosage and Toxicity Symptoms
Acute copper toxicity (> 250mg) causes the following symptoms:
- Coma
- Fever
- Low blood pressure
- Tachycardia (irregular heart beat)
- Death
Chronic copper toxicity (>40mg) causes the following symptoms:
- Abdominal cramps
- Anaemia
- Muscle aches
- Nausea
- Vomiting
People who experience any of the above toxicity symptoms should discontinue their copper supplements and seek the advice of their doctor.
Overdosage and toxicity is more likely to occur from taking too many supplements, whereas dietary intake of copper is highly unlikely to cause overdosage.