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delta-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) in serum

Indications: 1) diagnosis & management of acute porphyria 2) NOT a sensitive indicator of Pb poisoning Normal range: - serum: < 20 ug/dL (1.5 umol/L) [1] Increases: 1) chemical interferences -> aminoacetone, ammonia, glucosamines, penicillins 2) in vivo chemical effects a) a number of drugs precipitate acute attacks of porphyria b) certain anticonvulsants may cause mild increases 3) clinical disorders a) porphyria 1] acute intermittent porphyria 2] hereditary coproporphyria 3] acute attacks of variegate porphyria 4] porphyria cutanea tarda (mild increases) b) lead poisoning -> does NOT increase until blood Pb reaches 40 ug/dL (1.92 umol/L) c) hereditary tyrosinemia d) delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase deficiency e) diabetic ketoacidosis (mild increases) f) pregnancy (mild increases) Decreases: 1) cisplatin (high doses) 2) alcoholic liver disease Method: - see delta-aminolevulinic acid in serum/urine

Related

delta-aminolevulinate; 5-aminolevulinic acid; aminolevulinic acid (ALA) porphobilinogen porphyria

General

delta-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) in body fluid

References

  1. Medical Knowledge Self Assessment Program (MKSAP) 11, American College of Physicians, Philadelphia 1998
  2. Clinical Guide to Laboratory Tests, 3rd ed. Teitz ed., W.B. Saunders, 1995