Type of test Urine (fresh and 24 hour)

Normal findings

Test explanation and related physiology

This test is a quantitative measurement of porphyrins and porphobilinogens. Along with measurement of aminolevulinic acid, the various forms of porphyria can be identified.

Porphyria is a group of genetic disorders associated with enzyme deficiencies involved with porphyrin synthesis or metabolism. Porphyrins (e.g., uroporphyrin and coproporphyrin) and porphobilinogens are important building blocks in the synthesis of heme. Heme is incorporated into hemoglobin in the erythroid cells. In most forms of porphyria, increased levels of porphyrins and porphobilinogens are found in the urine. Heavy metal (lead) intoxication is also associated with increased porphyrins in the urine.

Urine tests for porphyrins are not as accurate as plasma measurements and pattern identification for the various forms of porphyria. They are accurate, however, in screening for porphyria, especially the intermittent variety. Porphyrin fractionation of erythrocytes and plasma provides specific assays for primary RBC porphyrins. These assays are predominantly used to differentiate the various forms of congenital porphyrias. Plasma measurement of free erythrocyte protoporphyrin (FEP) is helpful in the diagnosis of iron-deficiency anemia or lead intoxication.

Interfering factors

* Drugs that may alter test results include aminosalicylic acid, barbiturates, chloral hydrate, chlorpropamide, ethyl alcohol, griseofulvin, morphine, oral contraceptives, phenazopyridine, procaine, and sulfonamides.

Procedure and patient care

 • See inside front cover for Routine Urine Testing for random and 24-hour collection.

• Protect the specimen from light.

* Instruct the patient to avoid alcohol during the collection period.

• Keep the 24-hour urine in a light-resistant specimen bottle with a preservative to prevent degradation of the light- sensitive porphyrin.

* Encourage the patient to drink fluids during the 24 hours unless contraindicated for medical purposes.

Abnormal findings

 Increased levels

- Porphyrias

- Liver disease

- Lead poisoning

- Pellagra

اخر الاخبار

اخبار العتبة العباسية المقدسة

بذكرى شهادته.. جموع الزائرين تشيع النعش الرمزي للإمام الكاظم (عليه السلام) عند مرقده الطاهر في بغداد

العتبة العباسية المقدسة تنظم مجلس عزاء بذكرى شهادة الإمام الكاظم (عليه السلام)

جموع المؤمنين تشيّع النعش الرمزي للإمام الكاظم (عليه السلام) عند العتبتين المقدستين

شعبة التوجيه الديني النسوي تنظم مسابقة ميدانية بذكرى شهادة الإمام الكاظم (عليه السلام)

المزيد

الآخبار الصحية

الخبز الأسمر أم الأبيض.. أيهما أفضل لضبط سكر الدم؟

عقاقير التخسيس و"الانتحار".. الحكومة الأميركية تحسم الجدل

الهرم الغذائي الجديد.. لماذا يعد "انقلابا" في خارطة الطعام؟

لحماية ظهرك وقلبك في آن واحد.. ما وضعية النوم الصحيحة؟

المزيد

الآخبار التكنلوجية

كيف يعزز الضوء الطبيعي تفكيرك وانتباهك خلال اليوم

سابقة.. طاقم من محطة الفضاء الدولية يعود إلى الأرض مبكرا

منصات التواصل تضرّ بنفسية المراهقين… والفتيات الأكثر تأثرا

ابتكار ألماني قد يغيّر مستقبل صناعة البلاستيك

المزيد

مواضيع ذات صلة

potassium, urine (K)

platelet function assay (Platelet closure time, PCT, Aspirin resistance tests, Bleeding time [BT], 11-Dehydro-thromboxane B2)

Laboratory Diagnosis of Rabies Virus

Procalcitonin

Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate

C-Reactive Protein

plasminogen (Fibrinolysin)

placental growth factor (PGF)

PI-linked antigen (Phosphatidylinositol antigen)

Pre-implantation Diagnosis

Pepsinogen

Parkinson disease testing