Which serum protein is primarily measured in a patient suspected of having Wilson's disease?

In cases of Wilson's disease, the serum protein most commonly measured is ceruloplasmin. Wilson's disease is a genetic disorder that leads to excessive copper accumulation in the body, primarily affecting the liver and brain. Ceruloplasmin is a copper-carrying protein that helps in regulating copper levels in the bloodstream. In individuals with Wilson's disease, ceruloplasmin levels are typically low due to the impaired incorporation of copper into the protein.

Measuring ceruloplasmin is crucial for diagnosis since low levels can indicate that the body is not able to handle copper properly. This measurement is often part of a broader evaluation, including serum copper levels and urinary copper excretion, to confirm the diagnosis. In contrast, the other proteins listed, such as albumin, alpha-1 antitrypsin, and fibrinogen, are not typically used as key indicators for Wilson's disease. While they are essential markers in other conditions, they do not specifically reflect the copper metabolism issues associated with Wilson's disease.