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Erythrocyte Porphyrins Evaluation

Whole Blood Erythrocyte Porphyrin

Test Codes

EPIC: LAB7628, Beaker: XFEP, Mayo: PEE

Department

Send Outs

Instructions

Patient should abstain from alcohol for 24 hours.

Specimen Collection Criteria

Collect (preferred specimen): One Dark Green-top sodium heparin tube
Also acceptable: One Lavender-top EDTA tube, Dark Blue top (metal free heparin), Green top (lithium heparin).

• Refrigerate the specimen immediately after collection.

Physician Office/Draw Specimen Preparation

Do not centrifuge. Refrigerate (2-8°C or 36-46°F) specimen immediately after collection and maintain refrigerated prior to transport.

Preparation for Courier Transport

Transport: 4.0 mL whole blood, refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F). (Minimum: 3.0 mL)

Rejection Criteria

• Clotted specimens.
• Grossly hemolyzed specimens.
• Specimens not collected and processed as indicated.

In-Lab Processing

Do not centrifuge. Refrigerate (2-8°C or 36-46°F) specimen immediately after collection and maintain refrigerated prior to transport.

Transport: 4.0 mL whole blood, refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F). (Minimum: 3.0 mL) 

Storage

Specimen Stability for Testing:

Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): Unacceptable
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 7 days
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): unacceptable

Specimen Storage in Department Prior to Disposal:

Specimen retention time is determined by the policy of the reference laboratory. Contact the Send Outs Laboratory with any questions.

Laboratory

Sent to Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester, MN.

Performed

Monday, Wednesday, Friday.
Results available in 3-6 days.

Reference Range

By report

Test Methodology

Fluorometry.

Interpretation

By report.

Clinical Utility

This test is recommended for screening patients for possible erythropoietic protoporphyria and X-linked dominant protoporphyria. In addition, it can be used for evaluation of iron-deficiency anemia and chronic lead intoxication. Testing begins with total erythrocyte porphyrins. If the result is below 80 mcg/dL, it is normal and testing is complete.

If the total erythrocyte porphyrin value is 80 mcg/dL or above, the protoporphyrin fractionation assay will automatically be performed at an additional charge. The fractionation test results include noncomplexed (free) protoporphyrin and zinc-complexed protoporphyrin.

CPT Codes

84311; add 82542 if appropriate.

Contacts

Last Updated

3/21/2023