SIMPLE TESTS
CAN CONFIRM AHP
To confirm if a patient has AHP, order urine tests for elevated levels of aminolevulinic acid (ALA), porphobilinogen (PBG), and porphyrins, the neurotoxins that are believed to cause disease manifestations.1-5
Confirm the diagnosis of AHP with urine tests1-5
AHP=acute hepatic porphyria; ALA=aminolevulinic acid; PBG=porphobilinogen.
*PBG and ALA are neurotoxic intermediates that occur naturally in the heme biosynthesis pathway in the liver but reach neurotoxic levels in patients with symptomatic AHP. PBG and ALA may remain elevated during recovery from an AIP or other type of AHP attack.2,5,7
†Urine porphyrins can help differentiate between AHP subtypes.3
The PBG urine test is highly specific and can confirm a diagnosis of AHP, while the ALA test is helpful for differential diagnosis and confirmation of ADP subtype.1,5
Testing for AHP: Laboratory Values1,5,8
Random Urine Test
Laboratory Values by AHP Subtypes During Attack
AIP
HCP
VP
ADP
Porphobilinogen (PBG)
Increased
Increased
Increased
Increased
Delta-Aminolevulinic Acid (ALA)
Increased
Increased
Increased
Increased
Porphyrins
Increased URP
Increased COPRO
Increased COPRO
Increased COPRO
‡Tests are more accurate when normalized per gram of urine creatinine and when sample is collected during acute episodes. 24-hour urine collection is not required. Additional testing (genetic or biochemical) may be required to differentiate AHP subtype (AIP, HCP, VP, or ADP).
- Specimen requirements are lab-specific
- During acute episodes, PBG is typically markedly elevated (>10-fold ULN) in AIP6
- Urine porphyrins are nonspecific and should not be used alone to diagnose AHP6
Samples should be collected during symptomatic periods because levels may fall when symptoms resolve. While urine tests are the key diagnostic tests to confirm a diagnosis, a genetic test can also be performed to differentiate which AHP subtype a patient may have.1,3,4
When Testing for AHP, Also
Consider the Following:
- Ordering lab tests for urine porphyrins does not include assessment of ALA/PBG or their corresponding levels6
- ALA levels are elevated during symptomatic periods for all 4 subtypes while PBG is elevated for only the 3 most common forms (excluding ADP), but these levels may decrease between attacks6§
- Normalize test results to urine creatinine to avoid false negatives, especially in dilute urine samples3
- Urine color is normal, but can turn dark red or purple when exposed to a particular wavelength of light in a spectrum emission test4,9
- Samples should be refrigerated, frozen, and/or shielded from light, although short delays should not cause false negative results3,10
- Once a diagnosis of AHP is biochemically confirmed, gene sequencing can be used to identify the mutation and the AHP subtype. Consider genetic testing of family members of patients diagnosed with AHP to identify individuals that may also carry an AHP gene mutation and potentially have elevated neurotoxic levels of ALA and PBG3
- There are no approved therapies to prevent attacks or treat chronic symptoms
§ALA and PBG are porphyrin precursors that occur naturally in the heme biosynthesis pathway in the liver but reach neurotoxic levels in patients with a symptomatic AHP.2,5
Alnylam Pharmaceuticals sponsors no-charge, third-party genetic testing for individuals who may carry gene mutations known to be associated with AHP.
The Alnylam Act® program was developed to reduce barriers to genetic testing and to help people make more informed decisions about their health. While Alnylam provides financial support for this program, all tests and services are performed by independent third parties. Healthcare professionals must confirm that patients meet certain criteria to use the program. Alnylam receives de-identified patient data from this program, but at no time does Alnylam receive patient identifiable information. Alnylam receives contact information for healthcare professionals who use this program. Genetic testing is available in the US and Canada. Healthcare professionals who use this program have no obligation to recommend, purchase, order, prescribe, promote, administer, use, or support any Alnylam product.
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