Porphobilinogen, 24-Hour Urine Quantitative

Test Codes

EPIC: LAB1231991, Beaker: PorphobUR, Quest: 726

Department

Send Outs

Instructions

• A Urine Creatinine is included with this test.
• Please refer to the Specimen Collection Manual for instructions on 24-Hour Urine Collection:
• Urine 24-Hour Collection - Inpatient
• Urine 24-Hour Collection - Outpatient
• Urine 24-Hour Collection - Outreach

Specimen Collection Criteria

Collect (preferred specimen): 24-hour urine sample with no preservative. Keep 24-hour urine specimen iced or refrigerated during collection.

• Include start and end dates and times for the collection period on the specimen container.
• All specimens must be protected from light.

Physician Office/Draw Specimen Preparation

Protect specimen from light. Maintain specimens frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below) prior to transport.

Preparation for Courier Transport

Transport: Entire 24-hour urine collection, or random urine, frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below).

Rejection Criteria

• Not protected from light.
• Specimens not collected and processed as indicated. 

In-Lab Processing

Protect specimen from light. Measure total volume of 24-hour urine specimen. Record total volume and collection start and end dates and times in the LIS system. Aliquot two 4.0 mL aliquots from the well-mixed 24-hour urine collection or random urine into amber transport tubes and freeze (-20°C/-4°F or below). (Minimum: 1.5 mL)

Storage

Specimen Stability for Testing:

Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): Unacceptable
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 4 days
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): 30 days

Specimen Storage in Department Prior to Disposal:

Specimen retention time is determined by the policy of the reference laboratory. Contact the Send Outs Laboratory with any questions.

Laboratory

Sent to Quest Diagnostics, Wood Dale, IL.

Performed

Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday.
Results available in 3-6 days.

Reference Range

≤17 Years        Not established
≥18 Years        <0.34 mg/24 h

Test Methodology

Chromatography / Mass Spectrometry

Clinical Utility

Porphobilinogen, Quantitative, 24-Hour Urine – Urinary Porphobilinogen is the first step in the diagnosis of acute porphyrias such as acute intermittent porphyria (AIP). AIP is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by deficiency of porphobilinogen deaminase. An acute attack usually includes gastrointestinal disturbance and neuropsychiatric disorders.

CPT Codes

84110

Contacts

Last Updated

11/19/2025