[An uncommon etiology of anemia: copper deficiency]

Abstract

A 58-year-old patient, without any notable medical history, except for alcoholism and treated hypertension, developed anemia and leukopenia with macrocytosis. Folate deficiency was diagnosed and subsequently treated. Despite folate supplementation, the hematological parameters did not normalize. Further diagnosis investigations were led to search for uncommon etiologies of anemia and leukoneutropenia. We diagnosed severe copper deficiency on the basis of decreased plasma levels of copper and ceruloplasmin. Copper supplementation improved blood counts within three months. This case illustrates hematological disorders due to copper deficiency, initially masked by an associated folate deficiency. The copper deficiency etiology was not identified in this case.

Keywords: anemia; copper; deficiency; folates.