endocrine and metabolic disorders
Overview of Porphyrias
Diagnosis of Porphyrias
Blood or urine testing Patients with symptoms suggesting porphyria are screened by blood or urine tests for porphyrins or the porphyrin precursors porphobilinogen (PBG) and delta-aminolevulinic acid(ALA—see table). Abnormal results on screening are confirmed by further testing. Asymptomatic patients, including suspected carriers and people who are between attacks, are evaluated similarly. However, the tests are less sensitive in these circumstances; measurement of red blood cell or white blood cell enzyme activity is considerably more sensitive. However, assays for many of the enzymes of the pathway (eg, uroporphyrinogen III cosynthase [urogen 3 synthase], coproporphyrinogen oxidase [CPOX], protoporphyrinogen oxidase [PPOX], ferrochelatase [FECH]) are not generally or commercially available. Genetic analysis is highly accurate and preferentially used within families when the mutation is known. Genetic testing will reveal known disease-associated mutations in most patients with the hereditary forms of porphyria; however, in a small percentage (~1%) of clinically and biochemically affected patients, genetic testing will fail to uncover a causative mutation. Therefore, the correct diagnosis continues to require thoughtful integration of clinical, biochemical, and genetic results. Prenatal testing (involving amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling) is possible but rarely indicated. 