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Test Code
ALAU
Test Name
Aminolevulinic Acid, Urine
CPT Codes
82135
Expected Turnaround Time
1 - 2 day
Clinical Utility

ALA is a precursor to uroporphyrin, coproporphyrin, and protoporphyrin. Concentrations of ALA are greatly increased in many patients with acute neurological forms of porphyrias and in some patients with chronic alcohol abuse.
Specimen and Container Info

Specimen Type: 24 Hour Urine (Protected from light)

  

Collection Container:  24 Hour Plastic Urine Container

    

Desired Specimen Volume:  2 mL
Collection Instructions
  1. Collect 24-hour urine in 24 Hour Plastic Urine Container.
  2. Refrigerate during and after collection.
Processing and Submission Instructions
  1. Transfer 2 mL of urine to an amber aliquot tube.
  2. If an amber aliquot tube is not available, wrap container and cap in aluminum foil to protect from light.
Transport Instructions

Transport to the laboratory refrigerated. 
Stability Requirements

Refrigerated

7 days

Frozen

30 days
Causes for Rejection
  • Received room temperature
  • Not protected from light
Methodology
Colorimetry
Reference Intervals

See patient report.
Alternate Names
  • Delta-Aminolevulinic Acid, 24 Hr Urine
  • D-ALA
Reference Lab
Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute
Testing Schedule
Routine, 3 times per week
The American Medical Association (AMA) Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes published by HNL Lab Medicine are guidelines and are intended for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the exclusive responsibility of the billing entity. View the Terms.
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