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HelpTest Code FQPPS Porphyrins, Feces
Reporting Name
Porphyrins, FUseful For
Evaluation of patients who present with signs or symptoms suggestive of porphyria cutanea tarda, hereditary coproporphyria, variegate porphyria, congenital erythropoietic porphyria, erythropoietic protoporphyria, or X-linked protoporphyria
Performing Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester
Specimen Type
FecalNecessary Information
1. Weight of the non-homogenized sample
2. Collection duration
3. Include a list of medications the patient is currently taking.
4. Indicate if patient was compliant with the patient preparation requirements.
Specimen Required
Patient Preparation:
1. For 3 days before, as well as during, specimen collection, patient must not eat red meat or take any aspirin-containing medications.
2. For 24 hours before, as well as during, specimen collection, patient must not use barium, laxatives, or enemas.
Supplies: Stool Containers - 24, 48, 72 Hour Kit (T291)
Container/Tube: Stool containers
Specimen Volume: Entire collection (48, 72, or 96 hours). 24-Hour collection is adequate if the collection volume is at least 100 g
Collection Instructions:
1. Collect all stool specimens within a 24, 48, 72, or 96-hour timeframe.
2. Do not add preservative.
3. Send entire collection.
Additional Information: Specimens smaller than 100 g may not provide accurate results.
Specimen Minimum Volume
See Specimen Required
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Fecal | Frozen (preferred) | 14 days |
| Refrigerated | 14 days |
Special Instructions
Reference Values
Uroporphyrin I: <120 mcg/24 h
Uroporphyrin III: <50 mcg/24 h
Heptacarboxyl I: <40 mcg/24 h
Heptacarboxyl III: <40 mcg/24 hours
Isoheptacarboxyl: <30 mcg/24 h
Hexacarboxyl I: <10 mcg/24 h
Hexacarboxyl III: <10 mcg/24 h
Isohexacarboxyl: <10 mcg/24 h
Pentacarboxyl I: <20 mcg/24 hours
Pentacarboxyl III: <20 mcg/24 h
Isopentacarboxyl: <80 mcg/24 hours
Coproporphyrin I: <500 mcg/24 h
Coproporphyrin III: <400 mcg/24 h
Isocoproporphyrin: <200 mcg/24 h
Protoporphyrin: <1,500 mcg/24 h
CoproIII/CoproI ratio: <1.20
Day(s) Performed
Monday, Thursday
Test Classification
This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.CPT Code Information
84126
LOINC Code Information
| Test ID | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| FQPPS | Porphyrins, F | 94548-5 |
| Result ID | Test Result Name | Result LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| W6 | Total weight | 30078-0 |
| TM70 | Collection Duration | 13363-7 |
| 15517 | Uroporphyrin I | 26691-6 |
| 15518 | Uroporphyrin III | 33585-1 |
| 15519 | Heptacarboxyl I | 49900-4 |
| 15520 | Heptacarboxyl III | 49901-2 |
| 15521 | Isoheptacarboxyl | 94549-3 |
| 15522 | Hexacarboxyl I | 94550-1 |
| 15523 | Hexacarboxyl III | 94551-9 |
| 15524 | Isohexacarboxyl | 94552-7 |
| 15525 | Pentacarboxyl I | 33623-0 |
| 15526 | Pentacarboxyl III | 33624-8 |
| 15527 | Isopentacarboxyl | 94553-5 |
| 15528 | Coproporphyrin I | 23845-1 |
| 15529 | Coproporphyrin III | 23846-9 |
| 15530 | Isocoproporphyrin | 33625-5 |
| 15534 | Protoporphyrin | 2891-0 |
| 15545 | CoproIII/CoproI ratio | 33618-0 |
| 81652 | Interpretation (FQPPS) | 59462-2 |
| 35013 | Reviewed By | 18771-6 |
Interpretation
Abnormal results are reported with a detailed interpretation that may include an overview of the results and their significance, a correlation to available clinical information provided with the specimen, differential diagnosis, recommendations for additional testing when indicated and available, and a phone number to reach one of the laboratory directors in case the referring physician has additional questions.
Clinical Reference
1. Tortorelli S, Kloke K, Raymond K. Disorders of porphyrin metabolism. In: Dietzen DJ, Bennett MJ, Wong EDD, eds. Biochemical and Molecular Basis of Pediatric Disease. 4th ed. AACC Press; 2010:307-324
2. Nuttall KL, Klee GG. Analytes of hemoglobin metabolism-porphyrins, iron, and bilirubin. In: Burtis CA, Ashwood ER, eds. Tietz Textbook of Clinical Chemistry. 5th ed. WB Saunders Company; 2001:584-607
3. Anderson KE, Sassa S, Bishop DF, Desnick RJ. Disorders of heme biosynthesis: X-Linked sideroblastic anemia and the porphyrias. In: Valle DL, Antonarakis S, Ballabio A, Beaudet AL, Mitchell GA, eds. The Online Metabolic and Molecular Bases of Inherited Disease. McGraw-Hill; 2019. Accessed August 3, 2026. Available at https://ommbid.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?sectionid=225540906&bookid=2709
4. Weiss Y, Chen B, Yasuda M, Nazarenko I, Anderson KE, Desnick RJ. Porphyria cutanea tarda and hepatoerythropoietic porphyria: Identification of 19 novel uroporphyrinogen III decarboxylase mutations. Mol Genet Metab. 2019;128(3):363-366. doi:10.1016/j.ymgme.2018.11.013
Report Available
3 to 6 daysMethod Name
High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)
Forms
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Biochemical Genetics Test Request (T798) with the specimen.