Ordering Guidance

Porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) type I (sporadic), the most common form of PCT, exhibits normal erythrocyte enzyme activity. The preferred test for diagnosis is PQNU / Porphyrins, Quantitative, 24 Hour, Urine or PQNRU / Porphyrins, Quantitative, Random, Urine.

Necessary Information

Include a list of medications the patient is currently taking.

Specimen Required

Patient Preparation: Patient must not consume any alcohol for 24 hours before specimen collection. This is essential as alcohol suppresses enzyme activity for 24 hours after ingestion.

Collection Container/Tube:

Preferred: Green top (sodium heparin)

Acceptable: Lavender top (EDTA) or green top (lithium heparin)

Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial

Specimen Volume: Entire washed erythrocyte suspension

Collection Instructions: Collect and process whole blood specimen as follows:

1. Transfer entire specimen to a 12-mL graduated centrifuge tube.

2. Centrifuge specimen at 4° C for 10 minutes at 2000 rpm.

3. Record volume of packed cells and the total volume of the specimen.

4. Discard supernatant plasma.

5. Wash erythrocytes 2 times by resuspension with 5 mL of cold 0.9% saline, discarding supernatant after each washing.

6. Resuspend packed cells to the original total volume with 0.9% saline. Invert specimen gently to mix.