Aminolevulinic Acid (ALA), Urine
Also known as: ALA U
Use
The Aminolevulinic Acid (ALA), Urine test is used to evaluate suspected aminolevulinic acid dehydratase deficiency (ADP) porphyria or hereditary tyrosinemia. Elevated levels of ALA in urine can be indicative of acute porphyrias, lead exposure, and hereditary tyrosinemia. The test is crucial for diagnosing these conditions and guiding patient management and treatment strategies.
Special Instructions
Patients should refrain from alcohol consumption 24 hours prior to collection to ensure accurate test results. During collection, 24-hour urine specimens must be refrigerated. It is important to record total volume and collection time interval on the transport tube and test request form.
Limitations
Preservation of the specimen with acid or base can cause assay interference, thus it is discouraged. When collecting urine for additional tests requiring acid or base preservation, remove the ALA aliquot before adding the preservative. Deviations in collection time or urine volume can affect the ratios and interpretation of analytes to a corresponding urine creatinine concentration.
New York Approved
Methodology
Automated Analyzer (Spectrophotometry)
Biomarkers
LOINC Codes
- 35674-1
- 2162-6
- 34284-0
- 14689-4
- 19153-6
- 30211-7
Result Turnaround Time
1-4 days
Related Documents
For more information, please review the documents below
Specimen
Urine
Volume
4 mL
Minimum Volume
1.2 mL
Container
ARUP Standard Transport Tube
Collection Instructions
Transfer a 4 mL aliquot from a well-mixed 24 hour or random collection to an ARUP Standard Transport Tube. Refrigerate 24-hour specimens during collection.
Patient Preparation
Refrain from alcohol consumption 24 hours prior to collection.
Storage Instructions
Refrigerate during collection.
Causes for Rejection
Body fluids other than urine.
Stability Requirements
| Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
| Room Temperature | Unacceptable |
| Refrigerated | 2 weeks |
| Frozen | 1 month |
Other tests from different labs that may be relevant