AMINOLEVULINIC ACID (ALA), 24-HOUR URINE

Additional Codes

Software	Test Code
Label text	ALA24
EPIC	LAB356
LabCorp	096354

Performing Laboratory

Laboratory Corporation of America (LabCorp)

Useful For

The diagnosis of porphyrias

Method Name

Column Chromatography Spectrophotometry

Reference Values

0.5-5.1 mg/24h

Specimen Type

Urine, 24-Hour

Preferred Container

Amber Urine Aliquot

Preferred Volume

Urine, 24-Hour: 3 mL (Amber Urine Aliquot)

Minimum Volume

Urine, 24-Hour: 1 mL (Amber Urine Aliquot)

Specimen Collection and Handling

1. Instruct the patient to void at 8 AM (or 8 PM) and discard the specimen.

2. Collect all the urine, including the final specimen voided at the end of the 24-hour collection period (i.e., 8 AM or 8 PM the following day), in the 24-hour collection container (LabCorp N° 23301).

3. Specimen must be kept refrigerated during collection.

4. Measure and record on the test request form the 24-hour total volume and mix well. pH must be <6.

5. Transfer the urine into a LabCorp amber plastic frozen transport tube with amber cap (LabCorp N° 78656).

6. Label the container with the patient’s name, date, and time collection started and finished.

7. The specimen should be frozen immediately and maintained frozen until tested.

8. If amber tube and cap are not available, cover a clear plastic transport tube completely from top to bottom with aluminum foil.

9. Identify the specimen with the patient’s name directly on the transport tube and the outside of the aluminum foil. Secure with tape.

Click here to view the Urine Collection Instructions

Click here to view the Urine Aliquoting Guide for Processing

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type: Urine, 24-Hour

Frozen: 1 Month

Refrigerated: 3 Days

Note: When preserved with 30% glacial acetic acid

Add On Capable

Contact Reference Lab – If add-on can never be done, report the test to the Administrative Analyst

Advance Beneficiary Notice Requirements

No ABN Required

CPT Code Information

CPT Code	CPT Description	CPT Disclaimer
82135	Aminolevulinic Acid, Delta (ALA), Quantitative

Keywords

ALA (AMINOLEVULINIC ACID)

DALA (DELTA-AMINOLEVULINIC ACID)

DELTA-AMINOLEVULINIC ACID

Performing Laboratory Location