Porphyrins - urine

Urine uroporphyrin; Urine coproporphyrin; Porphyria - uroporphyrin

Porphyrins are natural chemicals in the body that help form many important substances in the body. One of these is hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen in the blood.

Porphyrins can be measured in the urine or blood. This article discusses the urine test.

Female urinary tract

The female and male urinary tracts are relatively the same except for the length of the urethra.

Male urinary tract

The male and female urinary tracts are relatively the same except for the length of the urethra.

Porphyrin urine test

The uroporphyrin test measures levels of porphyrins in urine. The most important function of porphyrins is as components of heme, which is made from iron plus protoporphyrin. Hemoglobin is made up of four globin proteins plus 4 heme groups. Oxygen binds to the iron in the heme molecules. Each step requires the presence of an enzyme. If any of the enzymes are deficient because of a genetic disease or inhibition by a toxic substance, a type of porphyria results.

How the Test is Performed

How to Prepare for the Test

How the Test will Feel

Why the Test is Performed

Normal Results

What Abnormal Results Mean

Risks