Porphyrins Plasma Test, Fractionated

Porphyrias are a collection of an unusual inherited blood disease in which a person does not make heme.  Heme is a factor in hemoglobin and is made of porphyrin; it also assists in making red blood cells.  Porphyria is divided into two categories, hepatic and erythropoietic. 

Porphyric attacks may be induced by exposure to a variety of drugs, including barbiturates, chloral hydrate, diazepam, hydantoin, griseofulvin, and others or by hormonal changes, such as during puberty, menstruation, or pregnancy. Minor elevations of porphyrins (less than 2 to 3 times normal) may be due to an acute illness, liver disease, ethanol intake, estrogens, iron overload, hemodialysis, and exposure to heavy metals, pesticides, and herbicides.