Copper Toxicity and Symptom Clusters

Quite often, people experience a health problem as one of several problems that occur in clusters. These clusters of health problems frequently have both physical and psychological symptoms occurring together. For example, it is not uncommon to find that depression occurs with anxiety and panic attacks, with cold hands and feet, dry skin, constipation, and a short attention span with memory problems. Such a symptom cluster is commonly associated with an excess of copper (Cu) in the body's tissues.

Another perspective for viewing this particular cluster of symptoms is to consider that excess copper is the common underlying problem associated with this particular cluster of health problems. Since excess copper is the underlying problem, then dealing with the excess copper often leads to an improvement in some or all of the problems in the cluster.

The following checklist was used at my office for many years in order to identify symptom clusters, especially those associated with copper toxicity.

Health History Checklist

 Name____________________________________________

Age___ Sex___ Date_________

Circle the number for any current problems; place an "X" beside any past problems

1. PMS

2. Fatigue & exhaustion

3. Allergies

4. Mind is in a fog

5. Headaches, migraines

6. Mood swings

7. Supersensitive, weepy

8. Cold hands, and/or feet

9. Depression

10. Dry skin

11. Chocolate cravings

12. Feeling of loss of control

13. Paranoia

14. Despair, suicidal feelings, hopelessness

15. Arthritis, calcium spurs

16. Constipation

17. Racing heart, pounding heart

18. Adverse reaction to vitamins & minerals

19. Problems with concentration and memory

20. Short attention span, "spaciness"

21. Eating disorders: anorexia, bulimia, overeating

22. Panic attacks, high anxiety, free floating anxiety

23. Yeast infections (candida)

24. Aching muscles or muscle cramps

25. Hypoglycemia

26. Mind races -- insomnia, interrupted sleep

27. Cysts

28. Mononucleosis

29. Low blood pressure

30. Obsessive thoughts

31. Hypothyroid (slow thyroid)