Investigation Name:Porphyria (Monitoring)

Pathology Laboratory:Clinical Chemistry/ Biochemistry

Requestable Seperately?Yes

Minimum Sample Volume:3 mL urine 2 mL blood

Expected Turnaround Time:1 day for in house and 7-14 days for referral

Test Code:MKAP

Sample Type:

Collection Conditions / Other Information:PROTECT SAMPLES FROM LIGHT
For Acute Intermittent Porphyria - Early morning urine Porphobilinogen/Creatinine ratio (white top universal). If >=1.5 umol/mmol send to Cardiff for checking.
For Variegate Porphyria or Hereditary Coproporphyria - early morning urine Porphobilinogen/Creatinine. Please note: urine PBG, whilst independently verified in the laboratory for use, is currently outside of the scope of our UKAS accreditation.
Ratio and early mornining urine Porphyrin/Creatinine ratio (white top universal).
If PBG/cre >=1.5 umol/mmol and/or porphyrin/cre >=35 nmol/mmol send to Cardiff for checking
For Erythropoetic Protoporphyria EDTA blood to Cardiff for total red cell porphyrin.
LAB INFORMATION: If sample arrives unprotected from light but was collected <6hrs ago, protect from light, add comment in winpath and write ‘exposure to light (<6hrs) has occurred’ on request form sent to Cardiff. If sample arrives unprotected from light and was collected >6hrs ago, sample cannot be analysed – reject samples and request repeat.

Reference Laboratory Details:Dept of Medical Biochemistry, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4XW. (Tel: 029 2074 3565)

Referred to Another Laboratory?Yes

Contact Number:01902 307 999 Ext 88266