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Porphyrins - urine
Urine uroporphyrin; Urine coproporphyrin
Porphyrins are natural chemicals in the body that help form many important substances in the body. One of these is hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen in the blood.
Porphyrins can be measured in the urine or blood . This article discusses the urine test.
Blood
Porphyrins help form many important substances in the body. One of these is hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen in the bl...
How the Test is Performed
After you provide a urine sample, it is tested in the lab. This is called a random urine sample.
If needed, your health care provider may ask you to collect your urine at home over 24 hours . This is called a 24-hour urine sample. Your provider will tell you how to do this. Follow instructions exactly so that the results are accurate.
Collect your urine at home over 24 hour
The urine 24-hour volume test measures the amount of urine produced in a day. The amount of creatinine, protein, and other chemicals released into t...
How to Prepare for the Test
Your provider may tell you to temporarily stop taking medicines that may affect the test results. These may include:
- Antibiotics and anti-fungal drugs
- Anti-anxiety drugs
- Birth control pills
- Diabetes medicines
- Pain medicines
- Sleep medicines
Do not stop taking any medicine without first talking to your provider.
How the Test will Feel
This test involves only normal urination and there is no discomfort.
Why the Test is Performed
Your doctor will order this test if you have signs of porphyria or other disorders that can cause abnormal urine porphyrins.
Porphyria
Porphyrias are a group of rare inherited disorders. An important part of hemoglobin, called heme, is not made properly. Heme is also found in myogl...
Normal Results
Normal results vary. In general, for a 24-hour urine test, the range is about 50 to 300 mg.
Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Some labs use different measurements or may test different specimens. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.
What Abnormal Results Mean
Abnormal results may be due to:
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Liver cancer
Liver cancer
Hepatocellular carcinoma is cancer that starts in the liver.
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article -
Hepatitis
Hepatitis
Hepatitis is swelling and inflammation of the liver.
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article -
Lead poisoning
Lead poisoning
Lead is a very strong poison. When a person swallows a lead object or breathes in lead dust, some of the poison can stay in the body and cause serio...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Porphyria (several types)
References
Fuller SJ, Wiley JS. Heme biosynthesis and its disorders: porphyrias and sideroblastic anemias. In: Hoffman R, Benz EJ Jr, Silberstein LE, Heslop HE, Weitz JI, Anastasi J, eds. Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice . 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2013:chap 36.
McPherson R, Ben-Ezra J. Basic examination of urine. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds.
Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods
. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2011:chap 28.
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Female urinary tract - illustration
The female and male urinary tracts are relatively the same except for the length of the urethra.
Female urinary tract
illustration
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Male urinary tract - illustration
The male and female urinary tracts are relatively the same except for the length of the urethra.
Male urinary tract
illustration
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Porphyrin urine test - illustration
The uroporphyrin test measures levels of porphyrins in urine. The most important function of porphyrins is as components of heme, which is made from iron plus protoporphyrin. Hemoglobin is made up of four globin proteins plus 4 heme groups. Oxygen binds to the iron in the heme molecules. Each step requires the presence of an enzyme. If any of the enzymes are deficient because of a genetic disease or inhibition by a toxic substance, a type of porphyria results.
Porphyrin urine test
illustration
-
Female urinary tract - illustration
The female and male urinary tracts are relatively the same except for the length of the urethra.
Female urinary tract
illustration
-
Male urinary tract - illustration
The male and female urinary tracts are relatively the same except for the length of the urethra.
Male urinary tract
illustration
-
Porphyrin urine test - illustration
The uroporphyrin test measures levels of porphyrins in urine. The most important function of porphyrins is as components of heme, which is made from iron plus protoporphyrin. Hemoglobin is made up of four globin proteins plus 4 heme groups. Oxygen binds to the iron in the heme molecules. Each step requires the presence of an enzyme. If any of the enzymes are deficient because of a genetic disease or inhibition by a toxic substance, a type of porphyria results.
Porphyrin urine test
illustration
Review Date: 1/27/2015
Reviewed By: Yi-Bin Chen, MD, Leukemia/Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
