Porphyrins (Faeces)

Testing Laboratory

Auckland Te Toka Tumai | Auckland Hospital

Department

Chemical Pathology

Delphic Registration Code (Alpha Code)

FPOR (faeces)

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 6 months frozen

Synonyms

Porphyria screen
Faecal porphyrins
Stool porphyrins
Porphyria

Turnaround Time

2 weeks

Faecal screens will be performed within 1-2 weeks. For samples with a positive screen, a porphyrin profile will be performed within the next 3 weeks.

Specimen Type

  • Faecal

Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred
  • Faeces Container (White Lid)
  • Please refer to Additional Information below

Paediatric Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred
  • Faeces Container (White Lid)

Pre-testing Requirements

3g of faeces is required for testing

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 faecal porphyrins are increased.

Last updated: 31/08/2026