Toxic Effects Profile-Porphyrin Testing

Distinguishable from genetic porphyrias, the accumulation of porphyrins from metabolic blocks attributable to toxic influences are referred to as porphyrinurias. Toxins such as mercury and lead interfere with heme synthesis and cause porphyrinuria. Thus, porphyrins measured in urine serve as biomarkers of toxins and their effects on certain tissues and organ systems. Patterns of specific porphyrin elevations in urine may serve as functional markers to specific toxins, including toxic metals, such as mercury and lead. Chronic exposure to toxic metals, including lead, mercury, arsenic, aluminum, and cadmium often results in organ-specific accumulation that compromises organ function. Heavy metals impair many aspects of metabolism, while chronic exposure to organic chemicals, such as pesticides, can have deleterious effects on the body's biochemistry and adversely affect cellular function.

Porphyrins are made in various places in the body. When one of the stages in heme construction goes awry, either because the body is missing a constructing tool (an enzyme) for genetic reasons, or due to a disruption of the pathway caused by a toxin, certain porphyrins build up to abnormal levels in the body.

What are porphyrins?

Porphyrins are complex molecules that are involved in oxygen transport energy metabolism and detoxification systems. Porphyrins are essential precursors to the structure and production of heme. The porphyrins, in combination with iron, form the heme component in biologically significant compounds such as hemoglobin, which serves as the carrier of oxygen in red blood cells, and myoglobin, which serves as a oxygen storage molecule in muscle tissue. Heme fuctions as a catalyst in energy metabolism and in detoxification enzymes (CYP450) involved in detoxification pathways.

Enzymes that essential to the production of porphyrins are present in many tissues of the body and some are susceptible to the effects of heavy metals and other toxins. In some genetic disorders, the enzymes vital to porphyrin production are deficient and cause the accumulation of porphyrins (porphyrias). Porphyrias are thus a group of disorders caused by deficiencies of these enzymes involved in the production of heme. Diseases are also responsible for pophyria conditions. The Porphyrins Toxic Effects profile renders an assessment of phophyrin levels from a urine sample and the possible influence of toxins on porphyrin pathways metabolism. It is not intended for diagnosis of genetic or disease causing porphyrias.

The Porphyrins measures seven porphyrins, total porphyrins, and three ratios to help differentiate heavy metal toxicity from the possible damaging effects of other toxins.

Why Evaluate Porphyrins?

• Differentiation of heavy metal toxicity (Mercury, Lead & Arsenic)
• Biochemical damage caused by toxic exposures
• Mercury's effect in dental patients with amalgams
• Monitoring patients before and during chelation therapy
• The toxicity of therapeutic drugs

• Multiple chemical sensitivity
• Behavioral and learning disorders
• Immune Dysfunctions
• Chronic fatigue
• Neurological and mental/emotional disorders

Toxic Effects Profile ...with limited report of findings...$245.00

Lab testing provided by:
- MetaMetrix.com
- Diagnostechs.com

Your limited report of findings includes an overview of the test results by phone with Ralph Sanchez. You may schedule your review of test results after you have received your lab results by mail. Please allow 3 weeks for your lab results to arrive.

NOTE: there is a non-refundable $30.00 test kit handling and shipping charge.