Testing Laboratory
Auckland Te Toka Tumai | Auckland HospitalDepartment
Chemical Pathology
Delphic Registration Code (Alpha Code)
See registration notes below
Test Code (Numeric Code)
0073
Laboratory Handling
Transport
As porphyrins are light sensitive, all specimens must be kept in the dark; usually this is done by wrapping the specimen in foil
Registration
Alpha Code:UPOR (urine), FPOR (faeces), BPOR (blood), Numeric Code:0747 (urine), 0074 (faeces), 0073 (blood), Alpha Code:UPGH Urine porphyrins, Alpha Code:BPOR Red cell porphyrins, Alpha Code:FPOR Faecal porphyrin screen, Alpha Code:POTU Total porphyrins, Alpha Code:PBGQ, Numeric Code:5892 PBG Quantification , Alpha Code:BZPP, Numeric Code:5897
Laboratory
LabPLUS Special Chemistry
Sample Stability
Within 3 days of collection, an aliquot of whole blood should be separated into a secondary tube and centrifuged to remove the plasma for analysis. The remaining whole blood in the primary tube is stable for 3 days at 2-8°C; otherwise it should be kept frozen at -20°C until analysis
Synonyms
Porphyria screen
Porphyria
ZnPP
Protoporphyrin
Plasma fluorescence
Turnaround Time
2 days
Blood porphyrin screens will be performed within 1-2 weeks.
Specimen Type
- Plasma
Specimen Requirements
Tube/Container Type:
Preferred
- Lithium Heparin - Non-gel (Green Cap)
Paediatric Specimen Requirements
Tube/Container Type:
Preferred
- Lithium Heparin - Non-gel (Green Cap)
Pre-testing Requirements
Please clearly indicate any relevant symptoms (e.g. "bullous skin lesions") and family history on the request form. This helps the pathologist provide the most useful advice.
Ideally samples should be taken early while the patient has symptoms of suspected porphyria to avoid false negative results.
Additional Specimen Information
WHAT SPECIMENS TO SEND:
1. For suspected acute attack of porphyria (abdominal pain, with or without autonomic or neurological abnormalities or skin lesions) - A casual urine is all that is needed to confirm or rule out an acute attack (a negative urine PBG taken during abdominal pain excludes acute porphyria). To determine the type of porphyria, both blood and faecal samples will also be needed.
2. For a patient with skin lesions - Urine porphyrins are all that is needed to diagnose PCT, which is the commonest porphyria. Both blood and urine porphyrins are needed to diagnose EPP. Both urine and faecal porphyrins are needed to diagnose hereditary coproporphyria and variegate porphyria.
Specimen Transport Instructions for Referring Laboratories
Porphyrin: Heparin (whole blood) , Faeces, Urine - Protect from light - Do not spin.
IF IN DOUBT, collect urine, blood and faeces.
Last updated: 25/05/2026