delta-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) in serum

Indications

• diagnosis & management of acute porphyria
• NOT a sensitive indicator of Pb poisoning

Reference interval

• serum: < 20 ug/dL (1.5 umol/L)

Increases

• chemical interferences
  • aminoacetone, ammonia, glucosamines, penicillins
• in vivo chemical effects
  • a number of drugs precipitate acute attacks of porphyria
  • certain anticonvulsants may cause mild increases
• clinical disorders
  • porphyria
    • acute intermittent porphyria
    • hereditary coproporphyria
    • acute attacks of variegate porphyria
    • porphyria cutanea tarda (mild increases)
  • lead poisoning
    • does NOT increase until blood Pb reaches 40 ug/dL (1.92 umol/L)
  • hereditary tyrosinemia
  • delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase deficiency
  • diabetic ketoacidosis (mild increases)
  • pregnancy (mild increases)

Decreases

• cisplatin (high doses)
• alcoholic liver disease

Methods

• see delta-aminolevulinic acid in serum/urine

More general terms

• delta-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) in body fluid

Additional terms

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

Patient information

delta-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) in serum patient information