PBG test

Alternative Names: Porphobilinogen test

Porphobilinogen (PBG) is one of several types of porphyrins found in your body. Normally, your body breaks down porphyrins into heme, an important part of hemoglobin. Porphyrins usually leave your body through urine or stools. If this process is interrupted, porphyrins such as PBG can build up in your body.

This article describes the test to measure the amount of PBG in a urine sample.

Why is the Test Performed?

This test may be performed when porphyria or another disorder associated with an abnormal porphobilinogen (PBG) level is suspected.

How is the Test Performed?

A 24-hour urine sample is needed. The health care provider will instruct you, if necessary, to stop taking drugs that may interfere with the test.

• On day 1, urinate into the toilet when you get up in the morning.
• Afterwards, collect all urine in a special container for the next 24 hours.
• On day 2, urinate into the container when you get up in the morning.
• Cap the container. Keep it in the refrigerator or a cool place during the collection period.
• Label the container with your name, the date, the time of completion, and return it as instructed.

For an infant, thoroughly wash the area around the urethra. Open a urine collection bag (a plastic bag with an adhesive paper on one end), and place it on the infant. For males, the entire penis can be placed in the bag and the adhesive attached to the skin. For females, the bag is placed over the labia. Diaper as usual over the secured bag.

This procedure may take a couple of attempts -- lively infants can displace the bag, causing the specimen to be absorbed by the diaper. The infant should be checked frequently and the bag changed after the infant has urinated into the bag. The urine is drained into the container for transport to the laboratory.

Deliver it to the laboratory or your health care provider as soon as possible upon completion.

Preparation for the Test

Your doctor may tell you to stop taking certain drugs that may interfere with test results.

Drugs that can affect test results include:

• Aminosalicylic acid
• Barbiturates
• Birth control pills
• Chloral hydrate
• Chlorpropamide
• Ethyl alcohol
• Griseofulvin
• Morphine
• Phenazopyridine
• Procaine
• Sulfonamides

Never stop taking any medicine without first talking to your doctor.

How will the Test Feel?

This test involves only normal urination, and there is no discomfort.

PBG test Risks

There are no risks.

Normal Results for PBG test

For a random urine sample, a negative test result is considered normal.

If the test is done on a 24-hour urine sample, the normal value is less than 4 milligrams per 24 hours.

Note: Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.

The examples above show the common measurements for results for these tests. Some laboratories use different measurements or may test different specimens.

What Abnormal Results Mean

Increased levels of PBG in the urine may be due to:

• Hepatitis
• Lead poisoning
• Liver cancer
• Porphyria (acute intermittent porphyria, hepatic coproporphyria, variegate porphyria)

Male urinary system

Review Date: 2/28/2011
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Yi-Bin Chen, MD, Leukemia/Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

_{Do not use this information for medical emergencies - Call 911. This information should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should always be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other websites do not constitute endorsements and are provided for information only. Any duplication or distribution of this information is strictly prohibited.
Copyright 2011 A.D.A.M., Inc.}