24 hour fractionated urine porphyrin tests

[Guest guest]

Hi all,

I'd like to ask about the 24 hour fractionated urine porphyrin test.

I see that elevated urine 'coproporphyrin' is suggestive of mercury

poisoning (or another toxin) or possibly a genetic disorder. Finding

elevated 'uroporphyrin' also indicates toxicity rather than genetics. The

urine must be collected in a very specific way and handled in a very

specific manner for accurate results.

Now, I know that Andy suggests most labs may not handle the specimen

properly and therefore the results cannot be trusted. But what actually is

the point of doing this test?

It it to test for mercury by inferral? Or mercury toxicity? Or damage by

mercury?

Almost everyone has some mercury in them, so it it only creating porphyrins

in some?

I mean does it quantify the amount of prophyrin's and that can denote the

degree of mercury poisoning?

I really don't understand the intent in doing one of these tests unless you

want your medical insurance to pay.

Can anybody explain further?

Thanks,

Dean