ARUP's Laboratory Test Directory

Porphyrins, Serum Total : 0080429

Mnemonic: POR S

Methodology: Quantitative Scanning Fluorometry
Performed: Tue, Thu
Reported: 1-5 days
Specimen Required: Collect: Plain red.

Specimen Preparation: CRITICAL: Protect from light during collection, storage, and shipment. Separate serum from cells within 1 hour of collection. Transfer 2 mL serum to an ARUP Amber Transport Tube. (Min: 1 mL)

Storage/Transport Temperature: Frozen.

Remarks:

Unacceptable Conditions: Body fluids other than serum. Frozen whole blood. Hemolyzed specimens.

Stability (collection to initiation of testing): After separation from cells: Ambient: Unacceptable; Refrigerated: 4 days; Frozen: 1 month
Reference Interval:
0-15 nmol/L
Note: Useful for evaluation of cutaneous photosensitivity to rule out porphyrin disorders, particularly erythropoietic protoporphyria. The best specimen for evaluation of suspected porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) is a urine specimen.  Continued monitoring of PCT with serum is an acceptable practice. Evaluation of neurologic and/or psychiatric symptoms associated with suspected acute porphyria (such as acute intermittent porphyria) requires Porphobilinogen (PBG), Urine (0080260).

Protoporphyrin is extremely light sensitive, whereas uroporphyrin and coproporphyrin are much less so.  Specimens from patients with suspected erythropoietic protoporphyria should be carefully protected from exposure to light.
CPT Code(s): 84311
 
 

 

 

 
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