Newcastle Laboratories

Porphobilinogen screen, urine

Clinical Background:

Used in the investigation of acute unexplained abdominal pain or neurological symptoms where a undetectable concentration of porphobilinogen would exclude an acute porphyria as the cause.

Used in the investigation of acute unexplained abdominal pain or neurological symptoms where a undetectable concentration of porphobilinogen would exclude an acute porphyria as the cause.

Test Documents

Test Details

  • Discipline:

    Biochemistry

    Biochemistry

  • Specimen Container Adult:

    Plain universal container

    Plain universal container

  • Specimen Container Paediatric:

    Plain universal container

    Plain universal container

  • Minimum Volume Adult:

    2 mL

    2 mL

  • Minimum Volume Paediatric:

    2 mL

    2 mL

  • Special Requirement:

    Sample must be protected from light.

    Sample must be protected from light.

  • Sample Stability:

    Unknown at 15-25°C, 2 days at 2-8°C, 1 months at -20°C

     

    Unknown at 15-25°C, 2 days at 2-8°C, 1 months at -20°C

     

  • Interpretation:

    Light results in degradation of the porphyrins which will produce a falsely low result.
    Interfering compounds e.g. urobiliogen removed during procedure.

    Light results in degradation of the porphyrins which will produce a falsely low result.
    Interfering compounds e.g. urobiliogen removed during procedure.

  • Reference Ranges:

    PBG:creatinine ratio less than 1.5 umol/mmol.

    PBG:creatinine ratio less than 1.5 umol/mmol.

  • Factors Affecting Result:

    Light causes degradation of porphyrins

    Light causes degradation of porphyrins

  • Routine Contact Name:

    Duty biochemist

  • Routine Telephone:

    Freeman: 0191 244 8889
    RVI: 0191 282 9719

    Freeman: 0191 244 8889
    RVI: 0191 282 9719

  • Routine Email:

Availability:

Assay carried out once weekly
Urgent samples should be discussed with the duty biochemist or DMO out of hours
Sites of analysis: RVI

Turn Around:

Urgent samples: same day
Non urgent samples: within 7 days

Send To:

Department of Blood Sciences

Level 3
Leazes Wing
Royal Victoria Infirmary
Queen Victoria Road
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 4LP

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