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HelpOrderable Name PBALP Porphobilinogen and Aminolevulinic Acid, Plasma
Shipping Instructions
Ship specimens refrigerated or frozen and in amber vial to protect from light.
Necessary Information
Include a list of medications the patient is currently taking.
Specimen Required
Patient Preparation: Patient must not consume any alcohol for at least 24 hours prior to specimen collection.
Supplies: Amber Frosted Tube, 5mL (T915)
Collection Container/Tube:
Preferred: Green top (sodium heparin)
Acceptable: Green top (lithium heparin), lavender top (EDTA), yellow top (ACD A or B)
Submission Container/Tube: Amber vial
Specimen Volume: 1 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. It is recommended that specimen collection occur during the acute phase. Porphobilinogen and aminolevulinic acid may be normal when the patient is not exhibiting symptoms.
2. Centrifuge and aliquot plasma into plastic vial.
Useful For
An equivalent option to urine for first-line test for evaluation of a suspected acute porphyria
Monitoring patients undergoing treatment for an acute intermittent porphyria or other acute porphyria
Testing Algorithm
For more information see:
-The Heme Biosynthetic Pathway
Special Instructions
Method Name
Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
Specimen Type
PlasmaSpecimen Minimum Volume
0.3 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plasma | Frozen (preferred) | 21 days | LIGHT PROTECTED |
| Refrigerated | 7 days | LIGHT PROTECTED |
Reject Due To
| Gross hemolysis | OK |
| Gross lipemia | OK |
| Gross icterus | OK |
Reference Values
Porphobilinogen: ≤0.5 nmol/mL
Aminolevulinic Acid: ≤0.5 nmol/mL
Day(s) Performed
Wednesday
Report Available
3 to 9 daysCPT Code Information
82542
82135
Forms
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Biochemical Genetics Test Request (T798) with the specimen.