American Board of Surgery Qualifying Exam (ABS QE) Practice Test 2026 - Free Surgery Exam Practice Questions and Study Guide

The clinical manifestation of decreased copper levels most commonly leads to anemia. Copper plays a vital role in iron metabolism and is essential for the proper functioning of enzymes involved in the synthesis of hemoglobin. A deficiency can result in a form of microcytic anemia that mimics iron deficiency anemia but may not respond to iron therapy, highlighting the need for copper for iron utilization.

While decreased copper levels could potentially contribute to other conditions, such as cardiovascular issues or neuropathies, the direct and most common manifestation associated with copper deficiency is anemia. It's important to understand that each of the other conditions may stem from different underlying causes that are not primarily related to copper deficiency, which solidifies anemia as the most direct clinical manifestation of low copper levels.