Copper and Zinc Feud: Is This Myelodysplasia or Myelodysplastic Syndrome?

We report a case of a 59-year-old male who developed pancytopenia and multiorgan failure attributed to copper deficiency from exogenous consumption of zinc tablets. During the six months preceding his presentation, he had experienced increasing shortness of breath, lightheadedness, and fatigue. Laboratory studies revealed pancytopenia with profound anemia (hemoglobin level 2.8 g/dL) along with evidence of acute kidney injury and acute heart failure; the patient was presumed to have multiorgan failure due to profound anemia. Bone marrow biopsy revealed dyspoiesis suggestive of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). There were no cytogenetic abnormalities observed. However, the blood workup analysis found low copper and ceruloplasmin levels, whereas zinc levels were excessively elevated (257 mg/dL). Upon inquiry, the patient reported taking an over-the-counter zinc supplement of an unknown quantity for over a year. After two months of copper treatment, his blood count returned to normal. This case highlights a rare presentation of zinc-induced copper deficiency resulting in pancytopenia and severe anemia-related multiorgan failure. A growing number of hematological disorders are being linked to copper deficiency. Copper deficiency pancytopenia is a reversible condition that often goes unnoticed and can be misdiagnosed as MDS because it has similar hematological characteristics.