Protoporphyrins, Total, RBC




Test Mnemonic

PROPOR

CPT Codes

  • 84202 - QTY (1)

Aliases

  • Erythrocyte Porphyrins
  • Porphyrins, Erythrocyte

Performing Laboratory

ARUP


Specimen Requirements

Volume Type Container Collect Temperature Transport Temperature Special Instructions
1 mLWhole bloodEDTA (Royal blue) RefrigeratedProtect specimen from light during collection, storage, and shipment. Transfer 1 mL whole blood to an amber transport tube. Specimens not protected from light will be run with a disclaimer.

Alternate Specimen Requirements

Volume Type Container Collect Temperature Transport Temperature Special Instructions
1 mLWhole bloodEDTA (Lavender) RefrigeratedProtect specimen from light during collection, storage, and shipment. Transfer 1 mL whole blood to an amber transport tube. Specimens not protected from light will be run with a disclaimer.

Minimum Specimen Requirements

Volume Type Container Collect Temperature Transport Temperature Special Instructions
0.5 mL     

Stability

Environmental Condition Description
AmbientUnacceptable
Refrigerated2 weeks
Frozen1 month

Days Performed

Mon, Wed, Sat

Turnaround Time

2 - 5 days

Methodology

Name Description
Fluorometry (FLM) 

Reference Range

Protoporphyrin
Sex Age From Age To Type Range Range Unit
       Normal0 - 35ug/dL

Special Info

Lead testing should be performed FIRST to avoid potential contamination issues. Protect from light. Specimens not protected from light will be acceptable with a disclaimer. Specimens not collected in EDTA will be rejected. Clotted specimens are unacceptable. This test is New York DOH approved.

Clinical Info

Useful as a screen for erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) in patients with cutaneous photosensitivity. Elevated EP results are seen in early and late iron deficiency, in the anemia of chronic disease, and in chronic lead poisoning (typically when blood lead is > 25 µg/dL). Elevated protoporphyrin (as in erythropoietic protoporphyria) and zinc coproporphyrin (usually associated with childbirth) can increase the apparent EP signal. A more specific test for free protoporphyrin is Porphyrins, Serum Total (SPORPH). Hemolyzed, clotted, or improperly aliquoted specimens may show false elevations. If testing for an acute porphyria, please consider ordering PBG, Screen (SQUPBG). If testing for a cutaneous porphyria, please consider ordering Porphyrins, Urine (SQUPORFR). If testing for erythropoietic porphyria, please consider ordering Total Erythrocyte Porphyrins (SQPROPOR).