Why get tested?
To help diagnose and sometimes to monitor porphyrias (a group of inherited disorders involving disturbance in the metabolism of haem, a component of haemoglobin)

When to get tested?
If a patient has symptoms that suggest an acute porphyria (such as abdominal pain, tingling in hands or feet, and/or confusion or hallucinations) or a cutaneous porphyria (such as reddening, blistering, or scarring on sun-exposed skin)

Sample required?
A blood sample taken from a vein in your arm, a random urine sample, preferably collected whilst symptoms are occurring, and a small stool sample