Test ID: ALAD
Aminolevulinic Acid Dehydratase (ALAD), Whole Blood
Secondary ID 
A test code used for billing and in test definitions created prior to November 2011
NY State Approved Indicates the status of NY State approval and if the test is orderable for NY State clients.
Useful For Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful
Confirmation of a diagnosis of aminolevulinic acid dehydratase deficiency porphyria
This test will not detect lead intoxication.
Genetics Test Information Provides information that may help with selection of the correct test or proper submission of the test request
Aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) activity can be inhibited in other situations including hereditary tyrosinemia type 1, lead intoxication, and exposure to styrene, trichloroethylene, or bromobenzene. These causes should be ruled out when considering a diagnosis of ALAD deficiency porphyria.
Testing Algorithm Delineates situation(s) when tests are added to the initial order. This includes reflex and additional tests.
The following algorithms are available in Special Instructions:
-Porphyria (Acute) Testing Algorithm
-Porphyria (Cutaneous) Testing Algorithm
Special Instructions and Forms Describes specimen collection and preparation information, test algorithms, and other information pertinent to test. Also includes pertinent information and consent forms to be used when requesting a particular test
Method Name A short description of the method used to perform the test
Enzymatic End point/Spectrofluorometric
Reporting Name A shorter/abbreviated version of the Published Name for a test; an abbreviated test name
Aliases Lists additional common names for a test, as an aid in searching
Porphobilinogen (PBG) Synthase
ALAD (Aminolevulinic Acid Dehydratase) Deficiency Porphyria (ADP)
Specimen Type Describes the specimen type needed for testing
Specimen Required Defines the optimal specimen. This field describes the type of specimen required to perform the test and the preferred volume to complete testing. The volume allows automated processing, fastest throughput and, when indicated, repeat or reflex testing.
All porphyrin tests on whole blood can be performed on 1 draw tube.
Container/Tube:
Preferred: Green top (sodium heparin)
Acceptable: Lavender top (EDTA) or green top (lithium heparin)
Specimen Volume: Full tube
Collection Instructions:
1. Patient should abstain from alcohol for 24 hours.
2. Immediately place specimen on wet ice.
Additional Information: Include a list of medications the patient is currently taking.
Forms:
1. 1. New York Clients-Informed consent is required. Please document on the request form or electronic order that a copy is on file. An Informed Consent for Genetic Testing (Supply T576) is available in Special Instructions.
2. 2. If not ordering electronically, submit a Biochemical Genetics Request Form (Supply T439) with the specimen.
Specimen Minimum Volume Defines the amount of specimen required to perform an assay once, including instrument and container dead space. Submitting the minimum specimen volume makes it impossible to repeat the test or perform confirmatory or perform reflex testing. In some situations, a minimum specimen volume may result in a QNS (quantity not sufficient) result, requiring a second specimen to be collected.
Reject Due To Identifies specimen types and conditions that may cause the specimen to be rejected
| Hemolysis | Mild reject; Gross reject |
| Lipemia | NA |
| Icterus | NA |
| Other | NA |
Specimen Stability Information Provides a description of the temperatures required to transport a specimen to the laboratory. Alternate acceptable temperature(s) are also included.
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Whole blood | Refrigerated | 4 days |
Clinical Information Discusses physiology, pathophysiology, and general clinical aspects, as they relate to a laboratory test
Porphyrias are a group of inherited disorders resulting from enzyme defects in the heme biosynthetic pathway. Aminolevulinic acid (ALA) dehydratase (ALAD) deficiency porphyria (ADP) results from a deficiency of ALAD, which causes ALA accumulation with subsequent excretion in the urine. Urinary porphobilinogen (PBG) remains essentially normal, which rules out other forms of acute porphyria.
ADP is an autosomal recessive, acute hepatic porphyria that produces neurologic symptoms similar to those seen in acute intermittent porphyria. Symptoms include acute abdominal pain, peripheral neuropathy, nausea, vomiting, constipation, and diarrhea. Respiratory impairment, seizures, and psychosis are possible during an acute period. ADP is extremely rare with only 7 cases described in the literature since 1979.
The workup of patients with a suspected porphyria is most effective when following a stepwise approach.
See Porphyria (Acute) Testing Algorithm in Special Instructions or contact Mayo Medical Laboratories to discuss testing strategies.
Reference Values Describes reference intervals and additional information for interpretation of test results. May include intervals based on age and sex when appropriate. Intervals are Mayo-derived, unless otherwise designated. If an interpretive report is provided, the reference value field will state this.
> or =4.0 nmol/L/sec
3.5-3.9 nmol/L/sec (indeterminate)
<3.5 nmol/L/sec (diminished)
Interpretation Provides information to assist in interpretation of the test results
Abnormal results are reported with a detailed interpretation including an overview of the results and their significance, a correlation to available clinical information provided with the specimen, differential diagnosis, and recommendations for additional testing when indicated and available, and a phone number to reach a laboratory director in case the referring physician has additional questions..
Clinical Reference Provides recommendations for further in-depth reading of a clinical nature
1. Tortorelli S, Kloke K, Raymond K: Chapter 15: Disorders of porphyrin metabolism. In Biochemical and Molecular Basis of Pediatric Disease. Fourth edition. Edited by DJ Dietzen, MJ Bennett, ECC Wong. AACC Press 2010, pp 307-324
2. Nuttall KL, Klee GG: Analytes of hemoglobin metabolism - porphyrins, iron, and bilirubin. In Tietz Textbook of Clinical Chemistry. Fifth edition. Edited by CA Burtis, ER Ashwood. Philadelphia, WB Saunders Company, 2001, pp 584-607
3. Anderson KE, Sassa S, Bishop DF, Desnick RJ: Disorders of heme biosynthesis: X-linked sideroblastic anemia and the porphyrias. In The Metabolic Basis of Inherited Disease. Eighth edition. Edited by CR Scriver, AL Beaudet, WS Sly, et al. New York, McGraw-Hill BookCompany, 2001, pp 2991-3062
Method Description Describes how the test is performed and provides a method-specific reference
Measurement of aminolevulinic acid (ALA) dehydratase (ALAD) activity is based on the rate of synthesis of uroporphyrin from ALA in incubated, lysed erythrocytes. Low yield of uroporphyrin from ALA indicates a deficiency of ALAD.(Ford RE, Ou CN, Ellefson RD: Assay for erythrocyte uroporphyrinogen I synthase activity, with porphobilinogen as substrate. Clin Chem 1980;26:1182-1185)
Day(s) and Time(s) Test Performed Outlines the days and times the test is performed. This field reflects the day and time the sample must be in the testing laboratory to begin the testing process and includes any specimen preparation and processing time required before the test is performed. Some tests are listed as continuously performed, which means assays are performed several times during the day.
Monday through Friday; 8 a.m.
Analytic Time Defines the amount of time it takes the laboratory to setup and perform the test. This is defined in number of days. The shortest interval of time expressed is "same day/1 day," which means the results may be available the same day that the sample is received in the testing laboratory. One day means results are available 1 day after the sample is received in the laboratory.
Maximum Laboratory Time Defines the maximum time from specimen receipt at Mayo Medical Laboratories until the release of the test result
Specimen Retention Time Outlines the length of time after testing that a specimen is kept in the laboratory before it is discarded
Performing Laboratory Location The location of the laboratory that performs the test
Test Classification Provides information regarding the medical device classification for laboratory test kits and reagents. Tests may be classified as cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and used per manufacturer's instructions, or as products that do not undergo full FDA review and approval, and are then labeled as an Analyte Specific Reagent (ASR), Investigation Use Only (IUO) product, or a Research Use Only (RUO) product.
CPT Code Information Provides guidance in determining the appropriate Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code(s) information for each test or profile. The listed CPT codes reflect Mayo Medical Laboratories interpretation of CPT coding requirements. It is the responsibility of each laboratory to determine correct CPT codes to use for billing.
82657
LOINC® Code Information Provides guidance in determining the Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) values for the result codes returned for this test or profile.
| Result ID | Reporting Name | LOINC Code |
|---|---|---|
| 4021 | ALA Dehydratase | 2813-4 |
| 28399 | Interpretation | 59462-2 |
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