Test Catalog

Test Id : ALAD

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Aminolevulinic Acid Dehydratase, Whole Blood

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Overview

Test Catalog

Useful For
Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful

Preferred confirmation test for the diagnosis of aminolevulinic acid dehydratase deficiency porphyria

 

This test is not useful for detecting lead intoxication.

Genetics Test Information
Provides information that may help with selection of the correct genetic test or proper submission of the test request

Aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) activity can be inhibited in 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 (ADP). This method will not detect a decreased ALAD enzyme activity due to lead intoxication.

 

This test will not detect lead intoxication.

Testing Algorithm
Delineates situations when tests are added to the initial order. This includes reflex and additional tests.

Method Name
A short description of the method used to perform the test

Enzymatic End point/Spectrofluorometric

NY State Available
Indicates the status of NY State approval and if the test is orderable for NY State clients.

Yes

Reporting Name
Lists a shorter or abbreviated version of the Published Name for a test

ALA Dehydratase, WB

Aliases
Lists additional common names for a test, as an aid in searching

Porphobilinogen (PBG) Synthase

ALAD (Aminolevulinic Acid Dehydratase) Deficiency Porphyria (ADP)

Doss Porphyria

Testing Algorithm
Delineates situations when tests are added to the initial order. This includes reflex and additional tests.

Specimen Type
Describes the specimen type validated for testing

Whole blood

Ordering Guidance

This assay is not useful in assessment of lead intoxication as it reactivates aminolevulinic acid dehydratase that has been inhibited by lead. The preferred test for lead toxicity is PBDV / Lead, Venous, with Demographics, Blood.

Necessary Information

1. Patient’s age is required

2. Include a list of medications the patient is currently taking.

Specimen Required
Defines the optimal specimen required to perform the test and the preferred volume to complete testing

Patient Preparation: Patient must not consume any alcohol for 24 hours before specimen collection. This is essential as ethanol suppresses aminolevulinic acid dehydratase activity, leading to false-positive results.

Container/Tube:

Preferred: Green top (sodium heparin)

Acceptable: Lavender top (EDTA) or green top (lithium heparin)

Specimen Volume: Full tube 4 mL

Collection Instructions: Refrigerate specimen as soon as possible.

Special Instructions
Library of PDFs including pertinent information and forms related to the test

Forms

New York Clients-Informed consent is required. Document on the request form or electronic order that a copy is on file. The following documents are available:

-Informed Consent for Genetic Testing (T576)

-Informed Consent for Genetic Testing-Spanish (T826)

Specimen Minimum Volume
Defines the amount of sample necessary to provide a clinically relevant result as determined by the testing laboratory. The minimum volume is sufficient for one attempt at testing.

3 mL

Reject Due To
Identifies specimen types and conditions that may cause the specimen to be rejected

Gross hemolysis Reject

Specimen Stability Information
Provides a description of the temperatures required to transport a specimen to the performing laboratory, alternate acceptable temperatures are also included

Specimen Type Temperature Time Special Container
Whole blood Refrigerated (preferred) 7 days
Ambient 4 days

Useful For
Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful

Preferred confirmation test for the diagnosis of aminolevulinic acid dehydratase deficiency porphyria

 

This test is not useful for detecting lead intoxication.

Genetics Test Information
Provides information that may help with selection of the correct genetic test or proper submission of the test request

Aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) activity can be inhibited in 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 (ADP). This method will not detect a decreased ALAD enzyme activity due to lead intoxication.

 

This test will not detect lead intoxication.

Testing Algorithm
Delineates situations when tests are added to the initial order. This includes reflex and additional tests.

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. A defect in the second enzyme of this pathway causes 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) dehydratase (ALAD) deficiency porphyria (ADP). A marked deficiency of ALAD causes the accumulation and subsequent urinary excretion of large amounts of ALA. Urinary porphobilinogen 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 8 cases described in the literature since 1979.

 

The workup of patients with a suspected porphyria is most effective when following a stepwise approach. Molecular confirmation is available; order CGPH / Custom Gene Panel, Hereditary, Next-Generation Sequencing, Varies; specify ALAD Gene List ID: IEMCP-D81317. See Porphyria (Acute) Testing Algorithm or call 800-533-1710 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.

Reference ranges have not been established for patients who are younger than 16 years of age.

 

> 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.

Cautions
Discusses conditions that may cause diagnostic confusion, including improper specimen collection and handling, inappropriate test selection, and interfering substances

False-positive values may result from enzyme degradation due to improper specimen handling. It is essential to adhere to instructions outlined in the Specimen Required and the Specimen Stability Information fields.

Clinical Reference
Recommendations for in-depth reading of a clinical nature

1. Tortorelli S, Kloke K, Raymond K. Disorders of porphyrin metabolism. In: Dietzen DG, Bennett MJ, Wong ECC, eds. Biochemical and Molecular Basis of Pediatric Disease. 4th ed. AACC Press; 2010:307-324

2. Nuttall KL, Klee GG. Analytes of hemoglobin metabolism-porphyrins, iron, and bilirubin. In: Burtis CA, Ashwood ER, eds. Tietz Textbook of Clinical Chemistry. 5th ed. WB Saunders Company; 2001:584-607

3. Anderson KE, Sassa S, Bishop DF, Desnick RJ. Disorders of heme biosynthesis: X-linked sideroblastic anemia and the porphyrias. In: Valle D, Antonarakis S, Ballabio A, Beaudet AL, Mitchell GA, eds. The Online Metabolic and Molecular Bases of Inherited Disease. McGraw-Hill, 2019. Accessed April 19, 2024. Available at https://ommbid.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?sectionid=225540906&bookid=2709

4. Lahiji AP, Anderson KE, Chan A. 5-Aminolevulinate dehydratase porphyria: Update on hepatic 5-aminolevulinic acid synthase induction and long-term response to hemin. Mol Genet Metab. 2020;131(4):418-423. doi:10.1016/j.ymgme.2020.10.011

Method Description
Describes how the test is performed and provides a method-specific reference

Measurement of aminolevulinic acid (ALA) dehydratase 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.(Unpublished Mayo method)

PDF Report
Indicates whether the report includes an additional document with charts, images or other enriched information

No

Day(s) Performed
Outlines the days the test is performed. This field reflects the day that the sample must be in the testing laboratory to begin the testing process and includes any specimen preparation and processing time before the test is performed. Some tests are listed as continuously performed, which means that assays are performed multiple times during the day.

Tuesday

Report Available
The interval of time (receipt of sample at Mayo Clinic Laboratories to results available) taking into account standard setup days and weekends. The first day is the time that it typically takes for a result to be available. The last day is the time it might take, accounting for any necessary repeated testing.

2 to 8 days

Specimen Retention Time
Outlines the length of time after testing that a specimen is kept in the laboratory before it is discarded

14 days

Performing Laboratory Location
Indicates the location of the laboratory that performs the test

Rochester

Fees
Several factors determine the fee charged to perform a test. Contact your U.S. or International Regional Manager for information about establishing a fee schedule or to learn more about resources to optimize test selection.

  • Authorized users can sign in to Test Prices for detailed fee information.
  • Clients without access to Test Prices can contact Customer Service 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
  • Prospective clients should contact their account representative. For assistance, contact Customer Service.

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 instructions, or as products that do not undergo full FDA review and approval, and are then labeled as an Analyte Specific Reagent (ASR) product.

This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.

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 Clinic Laboratories interpretation of CPT coding requirements. It is the responsibility of each laboratory to determine correct CPT codes to use for billing.

CPT codes are provided by the performing laboratory.

82657

LOINC® Information
Provides guidance in determining the Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) values for the order and results codes of this test. LOINC values are provided by the performing laboratory.

Test Id Test Order Name Order LOINC Value
ALAD ALA Dehydratase, WB 12916-3
Result Id Test Result Name Result LOINC Value
Applies only to results expressed in units of measure originally reported by the performing laboratory. These values do not apply to results that are converted to other units of measure.
4021 ALA Dehydratase 12916-3
28399 Interpretation 59462-2
606468 Reviewed By 18771-6

Test Setup Resources

Setup Files
Test setup information contains test file definition details to support order and result interfacing between Mayo Clinic Laboratories and your Laboratory Information System.

Excel | Pdf

Sample Reports
Normal and Abnormal sample reports are provided as references for report appearance.

Normal Reports | Abnormal Reports

SI Sample Reports
International System (SI) of Unit reports are provided for a limited number of tests. These reports are intended for international account use and are only available through MayoLINK accounts that have been defined to receive them.

SI Normal Reports | SI Abnormal Reports