Porphyrins, blood

Alternative names:

coproporphyrin levels; porphyrins, total; protoporphyrin levels; uroporphyrin levels

What the risks are:

Risks associated with venipuncture are slight:

• excessive bleeding
• fainting or feeling lightheaded
• hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin)
• infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)
• multiple punctures to locate veins

Special considerations:

Failure to comply with dietary restrictions prior to the test may alter and invalidate test results.

Veins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others.