Total faecal porphyrins (TFP)

Description: 
TFP is a test offered by the SAAS Porphyria Service in Reference Biochemistry at King’s College Hospital. Quantitative measurement of porphyrins is carried out using spectrophotometry.
Clinical details: 
Porphyrins are precursor in the haem synthesis pathway and TFP can be elevated in patients with the acute porphyrias: hereditary coproporphyria (HCP) and variegate porphyria (VP) and to a lesser extent in patients with CEP, PCT and EPP.
Related condition or disease: 
Secondary causes of increased TFP may be dietary or increased bacterial degradation of haem in the gut to protoporphyrin and dicarboxylate porphyrins.
Reference range: 

<50 nmol/g stool

Synonyms or keywords: 
TTP
Department: 
Reference Biochemistry Department
Location: 
King's College Hospital
Sample type and Volume required: 
~10 g stool specimen in a plain universal container. Specimens should be protected from light.
Turnaround time: 
1-2 weeks
Criteria for acceptance / rejections of sample
Storage and transport: 
Specimens can be sent by first class post without ice packs. Specimens are stable for several weeks if frozen while awaiting despatch.
Contacts:
Reference Biochemistry Department at King's College Hospital
020 3299 4107
King's College Hospital
Denmark Hill
London SE5 9RS
Porphyrins and Gastrointestinal Laboratory at King's College Hospital
Porphyrins - 020 3299 3856
King's College Hospital
Denmark Hill
London SE5 9RS
For clinical advice or interpretation of results, please contact the laboratory in the first instance.
Laboratory: 
Porphyrins and Gastrointestinal Laboratory at King's College Hospital

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Last updated: 03/02/2017