Delta Aminolevulinic Acid, 24-Hour Urine

Test Code

ALA

CPT Codes
82135

Includes

CPT code 81050 may be added at an additional charge for volume measurement

Preferred Specimen

2 mL urine from a 24-hour collection - no preservative - protect from light

Minimum Volume

0.6 mL

Other Acceptable Specimens

Urine preserved with 25 mL 6N HCl, or 10 mL concentrated glacial acetic acid preservative added after collection, and catherized urine in a sterile, plastic, screw-capped container - protected from light

Instructions

Collect without preservative. Refrigerate during and after collection.
Wrap container in aluminum foil to protect from light.
Please specify on the request form and on the urine container the total 24-hour urine volume.

Transport Temperature

Refrigerated (cold packs)

Specimen Stability

Room temperature: Unacceptable
Refrigerated: 7 days
Frozen: 30 days

Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)

Received room temperature • Not protected from light

Methodology
Colorimetric (C)

FDA Status
This test was developed and its analytical performance characteristics have been determined by Quest Diagnostics. It has not been cleared or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. This assay has been validated pursuant to the CLIA regulations and is used for clinical purposes.

Setup Schedule

Set up: Tues, Thurs, Sat; Report available: Next day

Reference Range

Delta ALA, 24-Hour Urine

Adults

<4.5 mg/24 h

Creatinine, 24-Hour Urine

3-8 Years	0.11-0.68 mg/24 h
9-12 Years	0.17-1.41 mg/24 h
13-17 Years	0.29-1.87 mg/24 h
Adults	0.63-2.50 mg/24 h

Clinical Significance

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.

Performing Laboratory

Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute

14225 Newbrook Drive

Chantilly, VA 20153

The CPT Codes provided in this document are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed. Any Profile/panel component may be ordered separately. Reflex tests are performed at an additional charge.