Porphyrin

This programme covers both quantitative and qualitative analysis of Porphobilinogen, Total Urine Porphyrin and Plasma Porphyrins with educational exercises included for every distribution.
The educational exercises include –

Interpretive Exercises for TUP and PBG (case studies)
An audit of laboratories providing a Urine Porphyrin Service
A survey on Faecal Porphyrin
A distribution of Plasma Patient samples

Three samples are distributed every quarter (3 months), covering both normal and pathological ranges for both Plasma and Urine. 3 x 4.0mL Urine and 3 x 1.0mL Plasma. Samples are dispatched by first class mail with an “instructions for use” sheet to handle samples as for clinical specimens and protect from light. For this programme participants are allowed 3 weeks to return their results.

Frequency: Quarterly

Samples per set: 3 x 4.0 mL (Urine) & 3 x 1.0 mL (Plasma)

Porphyrin Programme
Analyte	Approx. Range Covered
Porphobilinogen (PBG)	0 - 170	mmol/L
PBG / Creatinine Ratio	0 - >30	mmol/mmol
Total Urine Porphyrin (TUP)	0 - 4000	nmol/L
Quant TUP / Creat Ratio	0 - >500	nmol /mmol
Plasma Porphyrin	8 - 300	nmol/L
Faecal Porphyrin	35 - 700	nmol/g