Anyone with experience of copper supplements

[Danielj1]

have not seen this covered in the thread - am keen to consider this now so any input over dosing size , benefits and risks would be much appreciated

Thank you

[radd]

Danielj1,

I haven’t supplemented copper as a sole supplement ( 🤔 is it even available?) but it has been included in minute quantities in many of the various multivits I have taken over the years. 

It’s quite easy to obtain from food and like iron has the signals to reduce absorption through various safety mechanisms when the body has adequate. I’m surprised it’s not mentioned on this forum given the number of members who suffer from anaemia because copper is of vital importance in the making of RBC’s. 

Some people use copper pans, etc for cooking. Have you found a particular supplement?

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to radd]

Most copper pans are tinned - coated with a layer of tin inside even if they have a lovely copper exterior. This is necessary to prevent damage to the copper and excess copper in food.

[radd in reply to helvella]

Oh, so they are actually no good.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to radd]

I was careful not to say that!

Bowls for whipping egg white are unlined copper. (Or plastic/china/glass/stainless steel for the rest of us!) As are jam pans! And the copper has a direct effect on the stability of the foamed egg whites. But in tiny amounts.

And the tin lining does deteriorate - only when in good condition does it work properly. (Other linings are available!)

[radd in reply to helvella]

Haha, maybe its easier just to eat the foods high in copper!

[tattybogle in reply to radd]

i had some once , they erm.. 'fell into my bag' when it was at catering college .

Copper pans are a pain in the ass to look after... they go green really easily if you use them incorrctly .. you'll need a scullery maid and an under-butler to keep them clean .

seriouseats.com/buying-copp...

[LucyYoga]

yes I supplement with pure encapsulations copper - I like the brand

[Porkchoppadown in reply to LucyYoga]

what for?

[LucyYoga in reply to Porkchoppadown]

Because my copper levels are low

[LucyYoga in reply to Porkchoppadown]

Although many ppl with histamine issues are helped by taking copper as it makes up part of the DAO enzyme which helps degrade histamine

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

The critical issue with copper is the balance with zinc.

I suggest that these two links are worth reading. (Remembering that they are from the USA so some details will not be exactly the same.)

Of course, other people and sites will have views which diverge somewhat. But I think these represent a reasonable starting point.

Copper

Fact Sheet for Health Professionals

ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/C...

Zinc

Fact Sheet for Health Professionals

ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Z...

[greygoose]

I sometimes mention copper. In this thread, for example:

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[Danielj1]

many thanks and very helpful feedback

[Danielj1]

my take on all the helpful data you sent is:

No clear evidence copper supplements help or hinder

Dietary sources should be sufficient

Not a huge amount of work done on links between copper supplement and other diseases

So the scientists would say for now the jury is out

I have decided to experiment for 3 months with a small amount of copper glycinate daily as I want to see if I can find any discernible differences when I add this to my diet when only taking this plus magnesium ie.no C/D/zinc /E in the way to suppress copper now I have stopped these

The only time I took a copper test a while back it said I was low but never imagined taking a supplement and ignored it then - so am relaxed on a test approach and perhaps a blood draw later this year

[Porkchoppadown in reply to Danielj1]

Update?

[Danielj1]

nothing to add at this point - had other priorities