Search our extensive Laboratory Test Directory to find test codes, ordering recommendations, specimen stability information, Test Fact Sheets, and more.
Recommendations when to order or not order the test. May include related or preferred tests.
Monitor porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT). Confirm diagnosis of suspected variegate porphyria (VP) and erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP).
New York DOH Approval Status
Indicates whether a test has been approved by the New York State Department of Health.
This test is New York state approved.
Specimen Required
Patient PreparationInstructions patient must follow before/during specimen collection.
CollectSpecimen type to collect. May include collection media, tubes, kits, etc.
Green (heparin), lavender (EDTA), or plain red
Specimen PreparationInstructions for specimen prep before/after collection and prior to transport.
CRITICAL: Protect from light during collection, storage, and shipment. Separate plasma or serum from cells within 1 hour of collection. Transfer 2 mL plasma or serum to an ARUP Amber Transport Tube. (Min: 1 mL)
Storage/Transport TemperaturePreferred temperatures for storage prior to and during shipping to ARUP. See Stability for additional info.
Frozen.
Unacceptable ConditionsCommon conditions under which a specimen will be rejected.
Body fluids other than plasma or serum. Frozen whole blood. Hemolyzed specimens.
RemarksAdditional specimen collection, transport, or test submission information.
StabilityAcceptable times/temperatures for specimens. Times include storage and transport time to ARUP.
After separation from cells: Ambient: Unacceptable; Refrigerated: 14 days; Frozen: 3 month
Methodology
Process(es) used to perform the test.
Quantitative Fluorometry
Performed
Days of the week the test is performed.
Sun, Tue, Thu
Reported
Expected turnaround time for a result, beginning when ARUP has received the specimen.
1-4 days
Reference Interval
Normal range/expected value(s) for a specific disease state. May also include abnormal ranges.
0-15 nmol/L
Interpretive Data
May include disease information, patient result explanation, recommendations, or details of testing.
Compliance Category
Standard
Note
Additional information related to the test.
Useful for evaluation of cutaneous photosensitivity to rule out porphyrin disorders, particularly erythropoietic protoporphyria. Urine is the best specimen for evaluation of suspected porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT), but monitoring of PCT with plasma or serum is an acceptable practice. Evaluation of neurologic and/or psychiatric symptoms associated with suspected acute porphyria (such as acute intermittent porphyria) requires Porphobilinogen (PBG), Urine (ARUP test code 0080260).
Specimens from patients with suspected erythropoietic protoporphyria should be carefully protected from exposure to light. Protoporphyrin is extremely light sensitive, whereas uroporphyrin and coproporphyrin are much less sensitive.
Hotline History
N/A
CPT Codes
The American Medical Association Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes published in ARUP's Laboratory Test Directory are provided for informational purposes only. The codes reflect our interpretation of CPT coding requirements based upon AMA guidelines published annually. CPT codes are provided only as guidance to assist clients with billing. ARUP strongly recommends that clients confirm CPT codes with their Medicare administrative contractor, as requirements may differ. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. ARUP Laboratories assumes no responsibility for billing errors due to reliance on the CPT codes published.
* Component test codes cannot be used to order tests. The information provided here is not sufficient for interface builds; for a complete test mix, please click the sidebar link to access the Interface Map.
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