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HelpTest Code PBALP Porphobilinogen and Aminolevulinic Acid, Plasma
Shipping Instructions
Ship specimens refrigerated or frozen and in amber vial to protect from light.
Necessary Information
Include a list of medications the patient is currently taking.
Specimen Required
Patient Preparation: Patient must not consume any alcohol for at least 24 hours prior to specimen collection.
Supplies: Amber Frosted Tube, 5mL (T915)
Collection Container/Tube:
Preferred: Green top (sodium heparin)
Acceptable: Green top (lithium heparin), lavender top (EDTA), yellow top (ACD A or B)
Submission Container/Tube: Amber vial
Specimen Volume: 1 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. It is recommended that specimen collection occur during the acute phase. Porphobilinogen and aminolevulinic acid may be normal when the patient is not exhibiting symptoms.
2. Centrifuge and aliquot plasma into plastic vial.
Genetics Test Information
Plasma porphobilinogen and aminolevulinic acid (ALA) are elevated during the symptomatic phase of the acute porphyrias: acute intermittent porphyria (AIP), hereditary coproporphyria, and variegate porphyria.
An isolated elevation of ALA may be due to the very rare ALA dehydratase deficiency porphyria (ADP) or more commonly, a secondary inhibition of ALA dehydratase.
This test can be used as part of the diagnostic assessment and monitoring of patients with AIP and other acute porphyrias.
If ordered for diagnostic purposes, results are most informative when the specimen is obtained while the patient is having symptoms.
Additional testing must be performed to distinguish among the acute porphyrias.
Specimen Type
PlasmaSpecimen Minimum Volume
0.3 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plasma | Frozen (preferred) | 21 days | LIGHT PROTECTED |
| Refrigerated | 7 days | LIGHT PROTECTED |
Reject Due To
| Gross hemolysis | OK |
| Gross lipemia | OK |
| Gross icterus | OK |
Reference Values
Porphobilinogen: ≤0.5 nmol/mL
Aminolevulinic Acid: ≤0.5 nmol/mL
Day(s) Performed
Wednesday
Report Available
3 to 9 daysSpecimen Retention Time
14 daysPerforming Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester
CPT Code Information
82542
82135