ARUP's Laboratory Test Directory

0080305: Porphyrins & Porphobilinogen (PBG), Urine

Test Mnemonic: PORUF PBGU
Methodology: High Performance Liquid Chromatography/Ion Exchange Chromatography/Spectrophotometry

Performed: Mon-Fri

Reported: 2-4 days

Specimen Required:  
Collect: 24-hour or random urine. Refrigerate 24-hour specimens during collection.

Transport: 9 mL aliquot, frozen. (Min: 5 mL)  Submit specimen in two ARUP Amber Transport Tubes.

Pediatric Collection/Transport: 4.5 mL aliquot, frozen.

Remarks: The most important aspect of specimen preservation is adequate refrigeration during collection, storage, and transport.  Protect from light during collection, storage, and shipment. Record total volume and collection time interval on transport tube and test request form.

Stability: Ambient: Unacceptable; Refrigerated: 4 days; Frozen: 1 month

Reference Interval:
 
Test Number Components Reference Interval
 Uroporphyrin0-4 µmol/mol crt
 Heptacarboxylate Porphyrin 0-2 µmol/mol crt
 Coproporphyrin0-22 µmol/mol crt
 Porphobilinogen, Urine0.0-8.8 µmol/L
 Porphobilinogen, Urine (24-hour) 0.0-11.0 µmol/d
 Creatinine (24-hour)  
 
Male Female
3-8 years: 140-700 mg/d
9-12 years: 300-1300 mg/d
13-17 years: 500-2300 mg/d
18-50 years: 1000-2500 mg/d
51-80 years: 800-2100 mg/d
81 years and older: 600-2000 mg/d 		3-8 years: 140-700 mg/d
9-12 years: 300-1300 mg/d
13-17 years: 400-1600 mg/d
18-50 years: 700-1600 mg/d
51-80 years: 500-1400 mg/d
81 years and older: 400-1300 mg/d

Note:
Urine porphyrins are useful for the evaluation of cutaneous photosensitivity to exclude porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT). Urine porphobilinogen (PBG) is useful for the evaluation of neurologic and/or psychiatric symptoms to exclude acute porphyrias such as acute intermittent porphyria (AIP).

CPT Code(s):
84120 Porphyrins, urine; 84110 PBG, urine

 

 

 
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