biochemistry - hyponatraemia, hypomagnesaemia and hypovolaemia may occur during acute attacks
definitive test is porphobilinogen deaminase in erythrocytes which is decreased by 50%
urine - usually normal colouration when fresh but becomes brown, red or black on standing; marked increase in porphobilinogen (PBG); slightly elevated coproporphyrin and uroporphyrin
stool - coproporphyrin and protoporphyrin normal
liver function tests - sulfobromophthalein retention
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