Amino Levulinic Acid (ALA), 24 H Urine

ALA 24-H Urine Test Overview

The ALA 24-H urine test measures the levels of delta-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) in the urine over 24 hours. ALA, produced in the liver, is essential for producing porphyrins needed for haemoglobin function. This test helps diagnose and monitor disorders related to porphyrin and heme synthesis, like porphyria. It provides valuable information about liver function and the body’s ability to produce haemoglobin. The test is especially useful for individuals with symptoms such as abdominal pain, muscle weakness, or neurological issues, and those with a family history of porphyria or heme synthesis disorders.

The 24-hour urine test for amino levulinic acid (ALA) is a diagnostic test used to gauge ALA levels in a patient's urine. ALA is a substance that aids in the production of heme, a substance found in hemoglobin and other blood oxygen carrying proteins. The liver creates ALA, which is then transferred to the bone marrow where it is processed into various intermediates and ultimately heme. ALA is typically only found in trace amounts in urine, but under specific circumstances that interfere with heme synthesis or metabolism, it may become more prevalent.