Porphyrins, Feces
Reporting Name
Porphyrins, FClinical System Name: Miscellaneous Test
Useful For
Evaluation of patients who present with signs or symptoms suggestive of porphyria cutanea tarda, hereditary coproporphyria, variegate porphyria, congenital erythropoietic porphyria, erythropoietic protoporphyria, or X-linked dominant protoporphyria
Specimen Required
Container/Tube: Stool container (T291)
Specimen Volume: Entire collection (48, 72, or 96 hour). 24-Hour collection is adequate if the collection volume is approximately 100 g.
Collection Instructions:
1. Patient should be instructed to refrain from red meat and aspirin-containing medications for 3 days prior to, as well as during, specimen collection. Compliance should be indicated.
2. No barium, laxatives, or enemas may be used within 24 hours of starting the collection.
Additional Information:
1. Length of collection period is required.
2. Specimens smaller than 100 g may not provide interpretable results.
3. Include a list of medications the patient is currently taking.
Specimen Type
FecalSpecimen Minimum Volume
10 g
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
---|---|---|
Fecal | Frozen (preferred) | 14 days |
Refrigerated | 14 days |
Day(s) and Time(s) Performed
Monday through Friday; 1 p.m.
Performing Laboratory

Method Name
High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)
Porphyrins are quantified by fluorescence.
Method Description
The porphyrins are separated according to numbers of carboxyl units and isomer status. Analytic specificity is based on the combination of chromatographic behavior and the uniqueness of the porphyrins among substances in human specimens in terms of fluorescence spectra. Components quantified are 10 specific porphyrins of isomer series I and III, 4 groups of "isoporphyrins" (isomers other than of series I and III), and protoporphyrin.(Unpublished Mayo method)
Reference Values
UROPORPHYRIN I
<120 mcg/24 hours
UROPORPHYRIN III
<50 mcg/24 hours
HEPTACARBOXYL PORPHYRIN I
<40 mcg/24 hours
HEPTACARBOXYL PORPHYRIN III
<40 mcg/24 hours
ISOHEPTACARBOXYL PORPHYRINS
<30 mcg/24 hours
HEXACARBOXYL PORPHYRIN I
<10 mcg/24 hours
HEXACARBOXYL PORPHYRIN III
<10 mcg/24 hours
ISOHEXACARBOXYL PORPHYRINS
<10 mcg/24 hours
PENTACARBOXYL PORPHYRIN I
<20 mcg/24 hours
PENTACARBOXYL PORPHYRIN III
<20 mcg/24 hours
ISOPENTACARBOXYL PORPHYRINS
<80 mcg/24 hours
COPROPORPHYRIN I
<500 mcg/24 hours
COPROPORPHYRIN III
<400 mcg/24 hours
ISOCOPROPORPHYRIN
<200 mcg/24 hours
PROTOPORPHYRINS
<1,500 mcg/24 hours
COPROPORPHYRIN III/COPROPORPHYRIN I RATIO
<1:20
See The Heme Biosynthetic Pathway in Special Instructions.
Test Classification
This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. This test has not been cleared or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.CPT Code Information
84126
LOINC Code Information
Test ID | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
---|---|---|
FQPPS | Porphyrins, F | In Process |
Result ID | Test Result Name | Result LOINC Value |
---|---|---|
W6 | Total weight | 30078-0 |
TM70 | Collection Duration | 13363-7 |
15517 | Uroporphyrin I | 26691-6 |
15518 | Uroporphyrin III | 33585-1 |
15519 | Heptacarboxyl I | 49900-4 |
15520 | Heptacarboxyl III | 49901-2 |
15521 | Isoheptacarboxyl | 23885-7 |
15522 | Hexacarboxyl I | 23874-1 |
15523 | Hexacarboxyl III | 23875-8 |
15524 | Isohexacarboxyl | 23886-5 |
15525 | Pentacarboxyl I | 33623-0 |
15526 | Pentacarboxyl III | 33624-8 |
15527 | Isopentacarboxyl | 23887-3 |
15528 | Coproporphyrin I | 23845-1 |
15529 | Coproporphyrin III | 23846-9 |
15530 | Isocoproporphyrin | 33625-5 |
15534 | Protoporphyrin | 2891-0 |
15545 | CoproIII/CoproI ratio | 33618-0 |
81652 | Interpretation (FQPPS) | 59462-2 |
35013 | Reviewed By | 18771-6 |
Special Instructions
Reject Due To
Hemolysis |
NA |
Lipemia |
NA |
Icterus |
NA |
Other |
Specimen <10 grams |
Testing Algorithm
The following algorithms are available in Special Instructions:
-Porphyria (Acute) Testing Algorithm
-Porphyria (Cutaneous) Testing Algorithm
Forms
New York Clients-Informed consent is required. Please document on the request form or electronic order that a copy is on file. An Informed Consent for Genetic Testing (T576) is available in Special Instructions.