Ceruloplasmin
Ceruloplasmin is a protein made by the liver that carries most of the copper in your blood. It plays a role in how your body handles and transports copper.
Ceruloplasmin helps assess how your body is managing copper. It is most often used when evaluating for disorders of copper balance, including a rare inherited condition called Wilson disease. It can also shift with liver function and inflammation, so it is read in context.
A higher ceruloplasmin can occur because it rises during inflammation, infection, pregnancy, or with estrogen use, since it is one of the proteins that increases as part of the body's response. On its own it is usually not the main concern and is interpreted alongside other findings.
A lower ceruloplasmin can be seen in certain copper-handling disorders, such as Wilson disease, and sometimes with reduced liver protein production. Low results are typically followed up with further copper studies to clarify the picture.
Your result is compared to your lab's reference range, often together with copper tests. Because several everyday factors move ceruloplasmin, your clinician will interpret it in context and advise on any follow-up.
Sources
Educational context only, not medical advice or a diagnosis. Reference ranges vary by lab, age and sex; always discuss your results with a clinician.