Uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase - red cells
Last updated: Friday, 19, March, 2004
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| Item | Process |
|---|---|
| Specimen | 5 ml blood in a lithium heparin tube. |
| Method | HPLC, immunoassay. |
| Reference Interval | Depends on laboratory and method. |
| Application | Diagnosis of hereditary porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) and hepatoerythropoietic porphyria. |
| Interpretation | In acquired PCT (usually associated with chronic alcoholism), the red cell enzyme is normal, whereas in genetic PCT it is low. Up to 20% of patients with PCT have the genetic disease. |
| Reference | Sweeney GD. Clin Biochem 1986; 19: 3-15. |