Porphyrins - blood

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Protoporphyrin levels; Porphyrins - total; Coproporphyrin levels; PROTO test

This test specifically measures total porphyrin levels, but reference values (a range of values seen in a group of healthy people) for the individual components are also included:

• Total porphyrin levels: 16 to 60 mcg/dL
• Coproporphyrin levels: < 2 mcg/dL
• Protoporphyrin levels: 16 to 60 mcg/dL
• Uroporphyrin levels: < 2 mcg/dL

Note: mcg/dL = micrograms per deciliter

Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.

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Increased levels of coproporphyrins may be a sign of:

• Congenital erythropoietic porphyria
• Hepatic coproporphyria
• Sideroblastic anemia
• Variegate porphyria

Increased protoporphyrin levels may be a sign of:

• Anemia of chronic disease
• Congenitalerythropoietic protoporphyria
• Increased erythropoiesis
• Infection
• Iron deficiency anemia
• Lead poisoning
• Sideroblastic anemia
• Thalassemia
• Variegate porphyria

Increased uroporphyrin levels may be a sign of:

• Congenital erythropoietic porphyria
• Porphyria cutanea tarda

Review Date: 02/28/2011
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Yi-Bin Chen, MD, Leukemia/Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).