ARUP's Laboratory Test Directory
| 0080429: Porphyrins, Serum Total |
| Test Mnemonic: POR S | |
|
Methodology: Scanning Fluorometry
Performed: Tue, Thu Reported: 1-5 days |
| Specimen Required: | |
|
Collect: One 6 mL plain red.
Transport: 2 mL serum, frozen. (Min: 1 mL) CRITICAL - Protect from light. Submit specimen in a foil-wrapped ARUP Amber Transport Tube. Pediatric Collection/Transport: 1 mL serum, frozen. CRITICAL - Protect from light. Remarks: CRITICAL - Protect from light during collection, storage, and shipment. Wrap in foil ASAP to protect from light. Transport in amber tubes may not be sufficient protection to prevent destruction of porphyrins. Unacceptable Conditions: Hemolyzed specimen. Frozen whole blood. Stability: 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 |