Table of Contents
- Overview
- Results
- Risks
- Prevention
- Images
Protoporphyrin levels; Porphyrins - total; Coproporphyrin levels; PROTO test
Normal Values
This test specifically measures total porphyrin levels, but reference values (a range of values seen in a group of healthy people) for the individual components are also included:
- Total porphyrin levels: 16 to 60 mcg/dL
- Coproporphyrin levels: < 2 mcg/dL
- Protoporphyrin levels: 16 to 60 mcg/dL
- Uroporphyrin levels: < 2 mcg/dL
Note: mcg/dL = micrograms per deciliter
Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.
What abnormal results mean
Increased levels of coproporphyrins may be a sign of:
Congenital erythropoietic porphyria - Hepatic coproporphyria
- Sideroblastic
anemia - Variegate porphyria
Increased protoporphyrin levels may be a sign of:
Anemia of chronic disease - Congenital
erythropoietic protoporphyria - Increased erythropoiesis
- Infection
Iron deficiency anemia Lead poisoning - Sideroblastic anemia
Thalassemia - Variegate porphyria
Increased uroporphyrin levels may be a sign of:
- Congenital erythropoietic porphyria
- Porphyria cutanea tarda
Previous Section
Review Date: 02/28/2011
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of
General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington
School of Medicine; and Yi-Bin Chen, MD, Leukemia/Bone Marrow
Transplant Program, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed
by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
