Random urine sample in 20ml universal container, should be protected from the light prior to receipt. Upon receipt samples are stored frozen prior to analysis and referral to another centre.

Samples must be brought to the attention of the Clinical Biochemistry department upon receipt in the laboratory.

An initial urinary PBG (porphobilinogen) screen is undertaken at PCH. This service is available urgently on request (within 8hrs).

Urinary PBG and total urine porphyrin are currently referred to another centre for analysis. If the test is required urgently in the diagnosis of acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) please contact the laboratory on bleep 1150.

Department of Medical Biochemistry
University Hospital of Wales
Heath Park
Cardiff CF4 4XW
Tel: 029 2074 7747
Fax: 029 2074 3838

Expected turnaround time: 6 weeks

Please see the sample handling requirements, samples must be protected from light during transport.

The initial PBG screen is non-specific and may be subject to interferences from urobilinogen, endogenous compounds (particularly in patients with end-stage alcoholic liver disease and patients having an ileus) and exogenous drugs (such as methyldopa, phenazopyridime). Please contact the laboratory for further information.

All samples are referred for confirmatory quantification.