Fractionated urine porphyrins

Description: 
Fractionated urine porphyrins is a test offered by the SAS Porphyria Laboratory in Reference Chemistry at the Synnovis Hub laboratory in Blackfriars. It is used in the investigation of the porphyrias and only performed following a positive total urine porphyrin screen test or other positive porphyrin investigations. Quantitative measurement of porphyrins and their isomers is carried out using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) followed by fluorescence detection.
Clinical details: 
Porphyrins are intermediates in the haem biosynthesis pathway. Semi-quantitative measurement of total urinary porphyrins is recommended as a first-line test in the investigation and diagnosis of both acute and cutaneous porphyrias. If total porphyrins are elevated, the sample undergoes high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to fractionate individual porphyrins. This allows for identification of the characteristic porphyrin pattern, aiding in the differentiation and diagnosis of specific porphyria types. Reported fractions include: (bullet points) Uroporphyrin I, Uroporphyrin III, Total Uroporphyrin (I + III), Heptacarboxylate porphyrin, Coproporphyrin I, Coproporphyrin III, Total Coproporphyrin (I + III).
Related condition or disease: 
Porphyria
Reference range: 

Total Uroporphyrin (I and III), 0 – 24 nmol/L; Heptacarboxylate Porphyrins 0 – 4 nmol/L; Total Coproporphyrin (I and III) 0 – 115 nmol/L                                  

Synonyms or keywords: 
POLC, HPLC porphyrins, fractionation, porphyrins
Units: 
nmol/L
Department: 
Reference Services
Location: 
Blackfriars Hub
Sample type and Volume required: 
10-20 mL fresh urine, preferably collected early morning. No preservative is necessary (plain universal)
Call in advance: 
No
Turnaround time: 
21 days
Special sample instructions: 

Protect from light

Criteria for acceptance / rejections of sample
Storage and transport: 
Store refrigerated. Send overnight at room temperature. Protect samples from light. If delay in dispatch, store and send frozen.
Contacts:
Porphyrin Laboratory at Blackfriars Hub
0208 078 8996
PorphyrinLab@synnovis.co.uk
Porphyrin Laboratory at Synnovis
Reference Chemistry, Floor One
Friars Bridge Court/ 41-43 Blackfriars Road/
London, SE1 8NZ
For clinical advice or interpretation of results, please contact the laboratory in the first instance.
Laboratory: 
Porphyrin Laboratory at Blackfriars Hub

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Last updated: 16/03/2026