Testing Laboratory
Auckland Te Toka Tumai | Auckland HospitalDepartment
Chemical Pathology
Delphic Registration Code (Alpha Code)
UPOR (urine)
Test Code (Numeric Code)
746
Laboratory Handling
Transport
URGENT - Must be hand delivered at all times from all locations - Must be protected from light - If after hours bring sample to the attention of Automation staff.
Laboratory
LabPLUS Special Chemistry
Sample Stability
36 hours at 2-8°C.
Up to 8 months frozen.
Synonyms
PBG, Porphobilinogen, Porphyrias, Porphyrins
Turnaround Time
2 days
PBG screens will be performed within 1-2 days. Urine, faecal, and blood porphyrin screens will be performed within 1-2 weeks. For samples with a raised screen, a porphyrin profile will be performed within the next 3 weeks.
Specimen Type
- Urine
Specimen Requirements
Tube/Container Type:
Preferred
- Please refer to Additional Information below
- Specimen Container
Preferred Sample Volume (ml)
10
Paediatric Specimen Requirements
Tube/Container Type:
Preferred
- Please refer to Additional Information below
- Specimen Container
Preferred Sample Volume (ml)
10
Pre-testing Requirements
The patient should refrain from taking Vitamin B supplements a day before collection because riboflavin (Vitamin B2) interferes with the urine porphyrin test. However, PBG is unaffected and collection in acute presentations should proceed regardless of vitamin intake, so as not to miss a possible diagnosis of acute porphyria
Additional Specimen Information
As porphyrins are light sensitive, all specimens must be kept in the dark; usually this is done by wrapping the specimen in foil.
Porphyrin profile (HPLC analysis) will be done automatically if the total porphyrins are increased.
Note that this urine porphyrin screen qualitatively assesses PBG (as positive or negative). If quantitation is required, please request "porphobilinogen quantitation", though this test is rarely clinically indicated.
Last updated: 31/08/2026