This test is the preferred test for the confirmation of a diagnosis of aminolevulinic acid dehydratase deficiency porphyria
This test is not useful for detecting lead intoxication.
Patient should abstain from alcohol for 24 hours
Place the specimen on wet ice immediately following collection
Dk green (Na heparin) tube, unspun and unopened
Include a list of medications patient is currently prescribed
Refrigerated (preferred) - 7 days
Ambient - 4 days
Frozen - NO
Enzymatic End Point/Spectrofluorometric
≥ 4.0 nmol/L/sec
3.5 - 3.9 nmol/L/sec (indeterminate)
< 3.5 nmol/L/sec (diminished)