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Test Code PBALP Porphobilinogen and Aminolevulinic Acid, Plasma

Reporting Name

PBG and ALA, P

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester

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

Method Name

Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)


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.


Specimen Type

Plasma

Specimen 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

Interpretation

Abnormal results are reported with a detailed interpretation that may include an overview of the results and their significance, a correlation to available clinical information provided with the specimen, differential diagnosis, recommendations for additional testing when indicated and available, and a phone number to reach one of the laboratory directors in case the referring physician has additional questions.

Day(s) Performed

Wednesday

Report Available

3 to 9 days

Test Classification

This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.

CPT Code Information

82542

82135

LOINC Code Information

Test ID Test Order Name Order LOINC Value
PBALP PBG and ALA, P 96911-3

 

Result ID Test Result Name Result LOINC Value
38029 Porphobilinogen, P 17474-8
38028 Aminolevulinic Acid, P 79646-6
38030 Interpretation (PBALP) 59462-2
38031 Reviewed By 18771-6