<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>

I downloaded several different sites to brush up on my copper...I think
it's worth passing on...

First of all, 90% of copper is bound to ceruloplasmin...that's a function
estrogen performs.  It's also said to play a key role in the formation of
red blood cells and maintenance of normal brain function.  It is involved
in the crosslinking of collagen, elastin and keratin.

Source:  http://www.chlabs.co.nz/14226hlp.htm

Copper is essential for the proper functions of enzymes for energy
production, antioxidant protection, pigmentation, catecholamine
production, and blood clotting.  ...The determination of copper needs and
marginal deficiency is complicated by the fact that while copper
deficiency doesn't necessarily lower the level of copper dependent
enzymes, it does significantly lower the activity.

...Copper deficiency has been implicated in the etiology of of idiopathic
scoliosis.  Skeletal abnormalities have often been found concurrently with
low copper status, and these have usually been associated with
osteoporitic changes and increased susceptibility to fractures.
Insufficient copper intake has also been shown to lower bone calcium
levels during long-term deficiency.
...

There's a section on copper, arthritis and inflammation...in
this circumstance of inflammation due to arthritis, ceruloplasmin levels
are high, possibly as a response to inflammation.  Remember, copper is
associated with elastin, keratin and keratin...and when ceruloplasmin
levels are high, copper is drawn away from other functions...even in a
deficiency state.

There are also some sections here on copper and cardiovascular disease,
and copper and free radicals.  This site is:

http://www.vrp.com/copper.htm.

A companion piece to this site is on copper requirements...This author is
adamant that copper containing enzymes in blood cells are a rome sensitive
indicator of copper tatus than plasma copper levels.  The specific
address:

http://www.vrp.com/coppreq.htm.

Finally, and most importantly,is the notice of an upcoming paper put out
by the Human Micronutrient Lab of the USDA:

Opioid peptides, adrenocorticotrophic hormones and dietary copper intake
in humans.

http://www.nal.usda.gov/ttic/tektran/DATA/000007/12/0000071256.html

The interpretive summary:

Copper is involved in heart and brain function.  In copper deficiency
there is a decrease in copper-dependent enzymes involved in hormones and
opioid peptides which control heart and brain function.  We studied
differnt levels of copper in the diet on the copper status and opioid
peptides in eleven youn healthy men...This information will benefit
nutritionists and other health professionals in recommending proper
amounts of trace minerals.  This in turn will benefit the diverse US
population whose health improvements depend on this research."

I don't have an actual copy of the paper....I was able to reach one of the
authors & he is sending me a list of his publications.  He did mention
that copper's function in the brain is more important than in bone.

Here's my summary...I don't know enough.  Estrogen's a player here, if
only because it takes copper from the brain & puts it into ceruloplasmin.
Progesterone is an antagonist somehow, maybe in the formation of the
adrenocorticotrophics.  Maybe the tip-off is a combination of low blood
pressure, poor carbohydrate metabolism and PMS.  Poor copper enzyme
activity may be another nail in the coffin for us.

It's an interesting arena, let's see if anything comes of it.

Bec