Porphyrins, faeces

Clinical Background:

Faecal analysis is used for porphyria subtyping if the initial screening tests (porphobilinogen / total urine porphyrin) are abnormal.

Please refer to the "sample requirements for suspected porphyr...

Faecal analysis is used for porphyria subtyping if the initial screening tests (porphobilinogen / total urine porphyrin) are abnormal.

Please refer to the "sample requirements for suspected porphyria" document for investigation of porphyria.

Discipline:

Biochemistry

Biochemistry
Specimen Container Adult:

Plain universal container

Plain universal container
Specimen Container Paediatric:

Plain universal container

Plain universal container
Minimum Volume Adult:

10 g faeces

10 g faeces
Minimum Volume Paediatric:

10 g faeces

10 g faeces
Special Requirement:

Sample must be protected from light.

Sample must be protected from light.
Sample Stability:

Store in the freezer

Store in the freezer
Transport Requirements:

Sample sent on dry ice to the referral laboratory

Sample sent on dry ice to the referral laboratory
Interpretation:

Interpretation is provided on the report by the referral laboratory

Interpretation is provided on the report by the referral laboratory
Reference Ranges:

Provided on report from referral laboratory

Provided on report from referral laboratory
Factors Affecting Result:

Light causes degradation of porphyrins

Light causes degradation of porphyrins
Other Info:

Please provide full clinical details as referral laboratory will not process samples without this information.

Please provide full clinical details as referral laboratory will not process samples without this information.
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:

nuth.dutybiochemist@nhs.net