What happens during porphyrin testing?
Porphyrins can be tested in blood, urine, or stool. The most common types of porphyrin tests are listed below.
Blood Test
A health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial. You may feel a little sting when the needle goes in or out. This usually takes less than five minutes.
24-Hour Urine Sample
You will collect all your urine during a 24-hour period. For this test, your health care provider or laboratory will give you a container and specific instructions on how to collect your samples at home. Be sure to follow all instructions carefully. This 24-hour urine sample test is used because the amounts of substances in urine, including porphyrin, can vary throughout the day. So collecting several samples in a day may give a more accurate picture of your urine content.
Random Urine Test
You can provide your sample at any time of day, with no special preparations or handling needed. This test is often done in a health care provider's office or a lab.
Stool Test (also called protoporphyrin in stool)
You will collect a sample of your stool and place it in a special container. Your health care provider will give you instructions on how to prepare your sample and send it to a lab.
