Copper Overload: How Copper toxicity can contribute to ADHD and Autism traits, mental health symptoms and Perimenopause

Copper is an essential trace mineral that plays crucial roles in various bodily functions, including neurotransmitter production, iron metabolism, immune function, bone health, energy metabolism and growth.

However, excessive copper levels in the body can lead to copper overload toxicity, a condition that can have serious health consequences. Copper in excess acts like a heavy metal and alters the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain, particularly impacting dopamine, norepinephrine and melatonin.

Conditions that indicate the need for Copper testing

Copper overload can be a contributing factor in many conditions and testing should be considered where these symptoms or diagnoses are present:

• ADHD traits including impulsivity, hyperactivity and inattention

• Autism traits such as hypersensitivity, communication difficulties, repetitive behaviours

• Insomnia and consistent poor-quality sleep

• Aggression and angry outbursts

• Bipolar disorder

• Depression

• Post-partum depression

• Anxiety or panic disorder

• Dementia

• Liver or Kidney dysfunction

• Fatigue

• Female hormone disorders (see below)

Copper Overload and Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Copper levels in excess acts as a neurotoxin and can have negative effects on brain function Copper overload has been identified in higher levels in those with ADHD and Autism and can impact the brain in several different ways:

Neuroinflammation: Copper overload can contribute to neuroinflammation, a process that involves inflammation in the brain. This can disrupt brain function and effective communication between neurotransmitters and contribute to symptoms associated with ADHD and Autism, such as hyperactivity, impulsivity, and social difficulties.

Oxidative Stress: Oxidative stress is the imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in the body. High levels of copper cause oxidative stress in the brain and can damage tissues and brain cells.  

Disruption of Neurotransmitter Systems: Copper plays a role in the regulation of your neurotransmitters, the chemicals that transmit signals between nerve cells.  Excess copper can impact dopamine, leading to symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity, norepinephrine, leading to increased anxiety and irritability, and melatonin causing insomnia and poor sleep quality. Copper can also influence the production of other essential neurotransmitters to contribute to mood, behavioural and learning difficulties.

Mitochondrial Dysfunction: Mitochondria are the engines of our cells and convert nutrients into energy. Copper is and essential cofactor in mitochondrial function and excessive copper levels can impair mitochondrial function, leading to energy deficits, cellular damage and brain dysfunction.

The relationship between Copper and Estrogen

Estrogen influences copper metabolism, and high estrogen levels can increase copper absorption from the gut and alter copper distribution in the body, while low estrogen levels can decrease copper excretion.

Perimenopause is a period of estrogen fluctuations, partially due to a reduction in the balancing effects of progesterone, and elevated estrogen levels in the perimenopause phase can contribute to copper overload. Hormonal contraception can also increase copper levels, whether directly through the copper IUD or from synthetic estrogens in the contraceptive pill and are a possible cause of copper overload in women.

Pregnancy is a state of high estrogen and elevated copper, as it is a vital mineral required to support foetal development and for the growth of new blood vessels which is crucial to the development of the placenta. If copper levels don’t return to normal in the post-partum period then symptoms of copper overload can become problematic, and elevated copper levels have been found to be significantly higher in women experiencing post-partum depression.

These periods of high estrogen can contribute to copper overload in women, especially during perimenopause and menopause, and post pregnancy. Presentations of possible estrogen related copper overload include:

• Post-partum depression

• Menstrual irregularities including heavy bleeding, irregular periods, or amenorrhea

• Breast tenderness or enlargement

• Endometriosis

• Uterine fibroids

• Infertility

Copper and Mould exposure

Exposure to mould can also increase the risk of copper overload. Mould can release mycotoxins, toxic substances that can damage cells and tissues. These mycotoxins can interfere with the body's ability to regulate copper levels, potentially leading to copper overload. High levels of copper in the environment can also promote the growth of certain types of mould, creating a vicious cycle, where mould growth leads to increased copper exposure, which in turn promotes more mould growth. If you live in a house with known or suspected mould then assessing your copper levels may be an important factor in your recovery.

How to Reduce Copper Exposure

• Avoid high-copper foods: including shellfish, liver and organ meats, nuts such as almonds, cashews and walnuts, sesame seeds, and chocolate or cocoa containing foods.

• Filter your water: If you live in a house built before 1980 then it’s likely you have copper pipes, and your water supply is high in copper. A good quality water filter can reduce copper exposure through your water supply.

• Avoid copper cookware: Copper cookware can leach copper into your food. Consider using alternative materials like stainless steel or cast iron.

• Limit exposure to copper-containing products: Occupational exposure in industries such as copper mining and smelting can contribute to copper overload.

What to do if you suspect you may have copper overload?

Hair tissue mineral analysis (HTMA) test is used to assess mineral and heavy metal levels in the body, including copper. HTMA is a non-invasive procedure that involves collecting a sample of hair. This makes it a relatively convenient and painless method compared to other testing methods. HTMA reflects long-term exposure and excretion of minerals and metals, as it examines levels over a period of several months. An overload of copper can interfere with levels of other essential minerals, especially zinc, iron, manganese and molybdenum.

HTMA can provide valuable insights into all potential mineral imbalances, including copper overload.

If you think copper overload may be contributing to your health and symptoms and would like to find out more about testing and addressing high copper levels, get in touch to book a free discovery call.

Want to find out more about Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis testing and other heavy metals and mineral imbalances? Read more in my articles Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis: A Window into Your Health or Is Heavy Metal Toxicity Affecting Your Child's Wellbeing?

Looking for more information on how naturopathy can provide support in ADHD or Autism? Head to my articles Is ADHD the correct diagnosis: Understanding Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and lookalike conditions, Food for thought: How nutrient deficiencies can amplify ADHD traits, Unravelling the Genetic Link to Autism and ADHD: The Role of MTHFR Mutation and Other SNPs in Neurodivergent presentations. or Iron Deficiency in Children: symptoms and impact on behaviour

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