Wilson Disease Also called: Copper storage disease, Hepatolenticular degeneration Summary Wilson disease is a rare inherited disorder that prevents your body from getting rid of extra copper. You need a small amount of copper from food to stay healthy. Too much copper is poisonous. Normally, your liver releases extra copper into bile, a digestive fluid. With Wilson disease, the copper builds up in your liver, and it releases the copper directly into your bloodstream. This can cause damage to your brain, kidneys, and eyes. Wilson disease is present at birth, but symptoms usually start between ages 5 and 35. It first attacks the liver, the central nervous system or both. The most characteristic sign is a rusty brown ring around the cornea of the eye. A physical exam and laboratory tests can diagnose it. Treatment is with drugs to remove the extra copper from your body. You need to take medicine and follow a low-copper diet for the rest of your life. Don’t eat shellfish or liver, as these foods may contain high levels of copper. At the beginning of treatment, you’ll also need to avoid chocolate, mushrooms, and nuts. Have your drinking water checked for copper content and don’t take multivitamins that contain copper. With early detection and proper treatment, you can enjoy good health. NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Array 24-hour urine copper test Ceruloplasmin Wilson’s disease Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Hepatolenticular Degeneration National Institutes of Health Diagnosis and Tests Copper Test American Association for Clinical Chemistry How Is Wilson Disease Diagnosed? Wilson’s Disease Association Kayser-Fleischer Rings Wilson’s Disease Association Living With Diet and Nutrition Wilson’s Disease Association Lab Tracker and Copper Calculator Wilson’s Disease Association Find an Expert Find a Liver Expert American College of Gastroenterology National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Genetics Genetics Home Reference: Wilson disease National Library of Medicine How Is Wilson Disease Inherited? Wilson’s Disease Association Journal Articles Wilson Disease Start Here Wilson Disease National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Wilson Disease National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Wilson Disease: Frequently Asked Questions Wilson’s Disease Association Wilson’s Disease Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Patient Handouts Wilson Disease National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
