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In this Article

• Porphyria facts*
• What is porphyria?
• What are the types of porphyria?
• What causes porphyria?
• What are the symptoms of porphyria?
• How is porphyria diagnosed?
• How is porphyria treated?
• Patient Comments: Porphyria - Treatment
• Find a local Doctor in your town
• Porphyria Index

Doctors diagnose porphyria using blood, urine, and stool tests. Interpreting test results can be complex, and initial tests may be followed by further testing to confirm the diagnosis. Diagnosis may be delayed because the symptoms of porphyria are similar to symptoms of other disorders.

Each type of porphyria is treated differently. Treatment may involve avoiding triggers, receiving heme through a vein, taking medicines to relieve symptoms, or having blood drawn to reduce iron in the body. People who have severe attacks may need to be hospitalized.

REFERENCE:

National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC). "Porphyria." National Institutes of Health (NIH). July 2008. <http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/porphyria/>.