Turnaround times
The quoted turnaround time is from sample receipt in the laboratory, to results authorisation in the Laboratory Information Management system. The times do not include transport of specimen to the laboratory or the administrative process to print and post/email reports. Service users must allow for transport and reporting time when ordering tests.
Clinical background:
Used in the investigation of acute unexplained abdominal pain or neurological symptoms where a undetectable concentration of porphobilinogen would exclude an acute porphyria as the cause.
Specimen container paediatric:
Plain universal container
Specimen container adult:
Plain universal container
Minimum volume paediatric:
2 mL
Minimum volume adult:
2 mL
Special requirements:
Sample must be protected from light.
Sample stability:
Unknown at 15-25°C,
2 days at 2-8°C,
1 months at -20°C
Interpretation:
Light results in degradation of the porphyrins which will produce a falsely low result.
Interfering compounds e.g. urobiliogen removed during procedure.
Reference ranges:
PBG:creatinine ratio less than 1.5 umol/mmol.
Factors affecting result:
Light causes degradation of porphyrins