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:
Faecal analysis is used for porphyria subtyping if the initial screening tests (porphobilinogen / total urine porphyrin) are abnormal.
Please refer to the “sample requirements for suspected porphyria” document for investigation of porphyria.
Specimen container paediatric:
Plain universal container
Specimen container adult:
Plain universal container
Minimum volume paediatric:
10 g faeces
Minimum volume adult:
10 g faeces
Special requirements:
Sample must be protected from light.
Sample stability:
Store in the freezer
Transport requirements:
Sample sent on dry ice to the referral laboratory
Interpretation:
Interpretation is provided on the report by the referral laboratory
Reference ranges:
Provided on report from referral laboratory
Factors affecting result:
Light causes degradation of porphyrins
Other info:
Please provide full clinical details as referral laboratory will not process samples without this information.