PMC4066572_01
Postoperative hemoglobin levels. Arrows, transfusions; star, first day of copper supplementation.
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PMC4066572_01_gr1.jpg
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However, the patient was suffering continuous anemia, and required intermittent transfusions (Fig. 1).
Copper supplementation with cocoa powder through the jejunostomy.
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Ten grams of commercially available cocoa powder (0.4 mg of copper) was mixed with 100 ml of warm water, and then administered through the jejunostomy once daily in the morning (Fig. 2).
Simultaneous increases in serum copper and hemoglobin levels after copper supplementation, and concomitant decrease in serum zinc levels.
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As copper levels increased, zinc levels decreased; however, none of the symptoms were attributable to zinc deficiency (Fig. 3).