The name porphyria is from the Greek πορφύρα, porphyra, meaning "purple", a reference to the color of the urine that may be present during an attack. [6] Acute intermittent porphyria (AIP), variegate porphyria (VP), aminolevulinic acid dehydratase deficiency porphyria (ALAD) and hereditary coproporphyria (HCP).

The terms porphyrin and porphyria are derived from the Greek word porphyrus, meaning purple. Urine from some Porphyria patients may be reddish-purple in color due to the presence of excess porphyrins and related substances in the urine, and the urine may darken after exposure to light.

Apr 5, 2023 · Porphyria (por-FEAR-e-uh) refers to a group of rare disorders that result from a buildup of natural chemicals called porphyrins in the body. Porphyrins are needed to make heme, a part of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells. It carries oxygen to the body's organs and tissues.

Mar 3, 2025 · Porphyria refers to a group of disorders (often genetic) that affect your nervous system and/or skin. Acute porphyrias cause painful attacks that can last days or weeks. Cutaneous porphyrias make your skin sensitive to light and cause symptoms like pain, swelling and blisters. Treatment can help manage and prevent symptoms.

Dec 16, 2002 · Porphyria is named from the ancient Greek word porphura, meaning purple. The Greeks borrowed the term from the Phoenicians, who extracted a purple pigment from purpura mollusks to dye the...

Sep 26, 2019 · Porphyria is a group of inherited blood disorders that result in reddish-purple urine and blisters on sun-exposed skin. Read this article to know about it. What Is Porphyria? What Are the Types of Porphyria? What Are the Symptoms of Porphyria? What Causes Porphyria? What Are the Risk Factors for Porphyria? What Are the Complications of Porphyria?

Certain subtypes of porphyrias can ­result in urinary excretion of photoactive porphyrin molecules that generate a red or purple color following exposure to light. Other types of porphyrias – namely PCT, congenital erythropoietic porphyria, and hepatoerythropoietic porphyria – result in freshly passed urine that is already colored.

Jun 20, 2024 · Porphyrias are rare enzyme disorders. Diagnosis involves a urine porphyrin test. Learn why increased porphyrins cause porphyria symptoms.

Aug 30, 2022 · Leftover porphyrin precursors that build up in your body and pass through your pee may give it a reddish-purple color. (“Porphyria” comes from the Greek word “porphura,” for purple. Porphyrins in your red blood cells are involved in making your blood red). What is an acute hepatic porphyria attack?