RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Copper deficiency caused by excessive alcohol consumption JF BMJ Case Reports FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd SP bcr-2017-220921 DO 10.1136/bcr-2017-220921 VO 2017 A1 Shibazaki, Shunichi A1 Uchiyama, Shuhei A1 Tsuda, Katsuji A1 Taniuchi, Norihide YR 2017 UL http://casereports.bmj.com/content/2017/bcr-2017-220921.abstract AB Copper deficiency is a disease that causes cytopaenia and neuropathy and can be treated by copper supplementation. Long-term tube feeding, long-term total parenteral nutrition, intestinal resection and ingestion of zinc are known copper deficiency risk factors; however, alcohol abuse is not. In this case, a 71-year-old man had difficulty waking. He had a history of drinking more than five glasses of spirits daily. He was well until 3 months ago. A month before his visit to our hospital, he could not eat meals but continued drinking. He had macrocytic anaemia on admission. Copper and ceruloplasmin levels were markedly low, and we diagnosed copper deficiency. There were no other known risk factors for copper deficiency. After he began drinking cocoa as a copper supplement, the anaemia ameliorated and he was able to walk. This is the first report showing alcohol abuse as a risk factor for copper deficiency.