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Test Code LAB1231780 Porphyrins, Total, Plasma

Important Note

Mayo's test code: PTP

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester

Reporting Name

Porphyrins, Total, P

Specimen Type

Plasma


Shipping Instructions


Ship specimen in amber vial to protect from light.



Necessary Information


Include a list of medications the patient is currently taking.



Specimen Required


Patient Preparation: For 24 hours before specimen collection, patient must not consume any alcohol.

Supplies: Amber Frosted Tube, 5 mL (T915)

Collection Container/Tube:

Preferred: Green top (sodium or lithium heparin)

Acceptable: Lavender top (EDTA)

Submission Container/Tube: Amber vial

Specimen Volume: 3 mL Plasma

Collection Instructions: Centrifuge specimen and aliquot plasma into an amber vial.


Reject Due To

Gross hemolysis OK
Gross lipemia OK
Gross icterus OK

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time Special Container
Plasma Frozen (preferred) 14 days LIGHT PROTECTED
  Refrigerated  14 days LIGHT PROTECTED

Specimen Minimum Volume

Plasma: 1 mL

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Friday

Specimen Retention Time

14 days

Report Available

2 to 4 days

Reference Values

≤1.0 mcg/dL

Reflex Tests

Test ID Reporting Name Available Separately Always Performed
PFP Porphyrins, Fractionation, P No No

Useful For

Monitoring treatment of patients with porphyria cutanea tarda

Testing Algorithm

If total porphyrins are above 1.0 mcg/dL, then porphyrin fractionation will be performed at an additional charge.

 

The following algorithms are available:

-Porphyria (Acute) Testing Algorithm

-Porphyria (Cutaneous) Testing Algorithm

CPT Code Information

84311-Porphyrins, total

82542-Porphyrins, fractionation (if appropriate)

LOINC Code Information

Test ID Test Order Name Order LOINC Value
PTP Porphyrins, Total, P 2815-9

 

Result ID Test Result Name Result LOINC Value
8731 Porphyrins, Total, P 2815-9
34252 Reviewed By 18771-6
33869 Interpretation 59462-2

Method Description

The plasma porphyrins profile is performed as a 2-step analysis. First, the total plasma porphyrins concentration is determined by extracting the porphyrins from plasma with a mixture of ethyl acetate and acetic acid. The porphyrins are then back extracted into dilute hydrochloric acid. Total porphyrins are quantified on this extract via scanning spectrofluorometry. If the total plasma porphyrin concentration is elevated, the extract is submitted for high-performance liquid chromatography analysis, whereby the individual porphyrin analytes are separated by differential partitioning between a stationary aliphatic surface and a moving aqueous buffer solution. As the porphyrins emerge separately from the column, the quantity of each is monitored with a fluorescence detector.(Unpublished Mayo method)

Genetics Test Information

Plasma specimens from patients with active porphyria cutanea tarda, congenital erythropoietic porphyria, and erythropoietic protoporphyria may exhibit increased plasma porphyrin levels. However, a definitive diagnosis cannot be made by plasma analysis alone.