ARUP's Laboratory Test Directory

0020610: Erythrocyte Porphyrin (EP), Whole Blood

Test Mnemonic: FEP
Methodology: Extraction/Fluorometry

Performed: Mon, Wed, Sat

Reported: 1-4 days

Specimen Required:  
Collect: One 7 mL royal blue (Na2EDTA) or one 5 mL lavender (EDTA) or pink (K2EDTA).

Transport: 1 mL whole blood at 2-8°C. (Min: 0.5 mL)  Submit specimen in an ARUP Amber Transport Tube.  CRITICAL - protect from light.

Pediatric Collection/Transport: 1 mL whole blood at 2-8°C. (Min: 0.5 mL)  CRITICAL - Protect from light.

Remarks: CRITICAL - Protect from light during collection, storage, and shipment.  Use royal blue (Na2EDTA) tube when also testing for lead.  Specimen should be tested for lead FIRST to avoid potential contamination problems.

Unacceptable Conditions: Clotted specimens.  Specimens not protected from light.

Stability: Ambient: Unacceptable; Refrigerated: 2 weeks; Frozen: 1 month

Reference Interval:
0-35 µg/dL

Note:
Elevated EP results are seen in early and late iron deficiency, in the anemia of chronic disease, and in chronic lead poisoning (typically when blood lead is greater than 25 Elevated protoporphyrin (as in erythropoietic protoporphyria) and zinc coproporphyrin (usually associated with childbirth) can increase the apparent EP signal. A more specific test for free protoporphyrin is Porphyrins, Serum Total (0080429).  Specimens which are hemolyzed, clotted, or improperly aliquoted may show false elevations.

CPT Code(s):
84202