Health condition
Wilson’s disease
Wilson’s disease is a rare inherited disorder of copper handling that damages the liver and brain in young people; it is fatal untreated but very treatable once recognised.
Why trust this guide
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Editorial team
Written by our editorial team from the UK sources listed on each page.
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Sourced from guidance
Checked against current NHS and UK specialist society guidance at the time of review.
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Current for 2026
Reviewed on 2026-09-27 with the next review scheduled for 2027-09-27.
Key facts
The essentials at a glance.
The symptoms to recognise, when to seek help, which specialist to see, and what treatment usually involves.
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Consider it in anyone under 40 with unexplained liver disease, tremor or psychiatric change
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Tests include serum caeruloplasmin, 24-hour urinary copper and slit-lamp examination for Kayser-Fleischer rings
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Specialist: a consultant hepatologist, with neurology involvement where needed
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Treatment is lifelong copper removal with chelators such as penicillamine or trientine, or maintenance zinc
Understanding the condition
What it is and what happens next.
What causes it, how it is diagnosed, and the treatment routes available in the UK.
What it is and how it feels
Wilson’s disease stems from a defective copper-transporting protein, so copper the body cannot excrete accumulates first in the liver, then spills into the brain and eyes. It can present as anything from mild liver test abnormalities to acute liver failure, or neurologically with tremor, clumsiness, slurred speech or personality change, typically between the ages of five and thirty-five.
Diagnosis and treatment routes
No single test is perfect, so diagnosis combines caeruloplasmin, urinary copper, eye examination and sometimes liver copper measurement or genetics. Lifelong treatment, chelation to strip excess copper followed by maintenance therapy, allows most patients a normal life, and siblings are screened because pre-symptomatic treatment prevents damage altogether. In many parts of the UK, routine NHS referrals for this kind of problem currently take 20-45+ weeks, whereas an initial appointment with a private consultant is typically available within around two weeks.
Seeing a specialist
Who to see, and how quickly you can be seen.
The specialist for this condition is usually a consultant hepatologist. Your GP can refer you on the NHS, or you can arrange a private consultation directly.
A quiet reminder
This guide is for information, not medical advice.
Your GP knows your history and can tell you which parts apply to you. If in doubt, see them - and seek urgent care for any of the emergency symptoms described above.
Frequently asked
Common questions about Wilson’s disease.
Quick, plain-English answers to what people ask us most.
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What is Wilson's disease?
It is a rare, inherited condition in which the body accumulates toxic levels of copper, primarily affecting the liver and brain.
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What causes Wilson's disease?
It's caused by mutations in the ATP7B gene, impairing the liver's normal ability to remove excess copper from the body.
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What are the symptoms of Wilson's disease?
Symptoms vary widely and can include liver problems, tremor and other movement difficulties, speech changes, and mood or behavioural changes, often first appearing in the teenage years or young adulthood.
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Is Wilson's disease dangerous?
Yes, untreated it can cause serious, progressive liver and neurological damage, but with lifelong treatment, most people can lead a full and active life.
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Is Wilson's disease hereditary?
Yes, it's inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern, meaning a child needs to inherit an altered gene copy from each parent to be affected.
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Can Wilson's disease be cured?
There's no cure for the underlying genetic defect, but lifelong treatment effectively controls copper levels and can prevent, or in some cases partially reverse, organ damage.
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How is Wilson's disease treated?
Treatment includes medications to remove excess copper or reduce its absorption, along with dietary changes to limit high-copper foods; liver transplant is an option for severe liver failure.
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How is Wilson's disease diagnosed?
Diagnosis typically involves specific blood and urine copper tests, an eye examination for characteristic copper deposits (Kayser-Fleischer rings), and sometimes genetic testing.
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When should I see a specialist, and how quickly can I be seen privately?
See a hepatologist or neurologist if Wilson's disease is suspected. NHS specialist referral can take time; private specialists can often see you within about two weeks.