Test Overview
Test Methodology

High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)/Incubation of Lysed Erythrocytes

Test Usage

Diagnosis of porphyria cutanea tarda type II and hepatoerythropoietic porphyria.

Reference Range *

>1.0 Relative Units (normal)
0.80-0.99 Relative Units (indeterminate)
<0.80 Relative Units (porphyria cutanea tarda or hepatoerythropoietic porphyria)

* Reference ranges may change over time. Please refer to the original patient report when evaluating results.

Test Limitations

Due to limited stability for this test, the preferred test for analysis of UPGD enzyme is UPGD / Uroporphyrinogen Decarboxylase (UPG D), Whole Blood.

Test Details
Days Set Up
Tuesday, Thursday
Analytic Time

3 - 7 days

Soft Order Code
MMLR
Synonyms
  • Uroporphyrinogen Decarboxylase, Washed Erythrocytes
Laboratory
Sendout
Reference Laboratory
Mayo UPGDW
Section
Special Testing
Specimen Requirements
Collection Instructions

Patient should abstain from alcohol for 24 hours prior to specimen collection. Collect blood in a green top tube. Process as follows:
a. Transfer entire specimen to a 12-mL graduated centrifuge tube.
b. Centrifuge specimen at 4 degrees C for 10 minutes at 2,000 rpm.
c. Record volume of packed cells and the total volume of the specimen.
d. Discard supernatant plasma.
e. Wash packed erythrocytes 2 times by resuspension of at least an equal amount of cold 0.9% saline, mix, and centrifuge for 5 minutes at 2,000 rpm, discarding supernatant after each washing.
f. Resuspend packed cells to the original total volume with 0.9% saline. Invert specimen gently to mix.
g. Transfer washed erythrocytes into a plastic vial and freeze.
Volume of packed cells and total volume of erythrocyte suspension (red cells + saline) are required and must be sent with specimen. Include a list of medications the patient is currently taking.

Special Handling

See below for processing instructions. (Pass to Chem along with Mayo instructions)

Alternate Specimen
Lavender top tube
Normal Volume
5 mL washed erythrocyte suspension
Minimum Volume
1 mL washed erythrocyte suspension
Storage Temperature
Frozen preferred, refrigerated acceptable
Additional Information

Test sent to Mayo Medical Laboratories.

Billing
CPT Code
82657
LOINC
49596-0