Why do I need a porphyrin test?
You may need a porphyrin test if you have symptoms of porphyria. There are different symptoms for the different types of porphyria.
Symptoms of acute porphyria include:
Abdominal pain
Constipation
Nausea and vomiting
Red or brown urine
Tingling or pain in the hands and/or feet
Muscle weakness
Confusion
Hallucinations
Symptoms of cutaneous porphyria include:
Oversensitivity to sunlight
Blisters on skin exposed to sunlight
Redness and swelling on exposed skin
Itching
Changes in skin color
You may also need a porphyrin test if someone in your family has porphyria. Most types of porphyria are inherited, meaning the condition is passed from parent to child.
