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Conditions
Blood disorders
Porphyria

Porphyria

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A group of rare hereditary conditions involving abnormal metabolism of heme. A common form, Porphyria cutanea tarda affects the skin, with blisters, itching and rash that are worse after sun exposure. In Acute Intermittent Porphyria, abdominal pain, muscle pain, numbness or tingling, seizures, and personality changes may occur.

Dr. Geoffreysss Rutledgeee reviewed this

42 years experience

Is a type of:

Blood disorders • Liver diseases • Genetic skin diseases

How long it usually lasts:

Chronic (lasts years to lifelong)

How common it is:

Rare
Baby
0-2
Very common
Toddler
3-5
Very common
Preteen
6-13
Very common
Teenager
14-18
Very common
Young adult
19-40
Very common
Middle-aged adult
41-60
Very common
Senior
60+
Very common

How it can usually be treated?

Incurable but treatment can help

How is it usually diagnosed?

Requires diagnosis by a medical professional

Types of

Porphyria cutanea tarda
Condition
Acute intermittent porphyria
Condition

Symptoms

Constipation
Confusion
Weakness
Back pain
Leg pain
Load more

Medications

Ratings show how effective doctors think these medications are at treating Porphyria
Vitamin a
Plaquenil
Hydroxychloroquine

Procedures

Ratings show how effective doctors think these procedures are at treating Porphyria

Surgery

Phlebotomy

Tests

Stool studies
Complete blood count
Delta aminolevulinic acid urine
Porphobilinogen

Risk factors

Personal

Stress
Recent travel
Antibiotic use
Cigarette smoking

Related questions

A 45-year old asked:

what's porphyria?

2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in

A 27-year old asked:

How does one get porphyria?

1 doctor answer • 6 doctors weighed in

A 21-year old asked:

Can men have acute porphyria?

2 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in

A 21-year old asked:

Can porphyria improvewith age?

2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in

A 21-year old asked:

Is porphyria progressive or lethal?

1 doctor answer • 5 doctors weighed in

A 42-year old asked:

What are the symptoms of porphyria?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 31-year old asked:

What are the symptoms of porphyrias?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 21-year old asked:

Whatprecipitates a porphyria attack?

2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in

A 21-year old asked:

Do I need a special diet with porphyria?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 21-year old asked:

Can I have more than one type of porphyria?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 33-year old asked:

What is porphyria and how can it be treated?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 21-year old asked:

Will porphyria affect my thinking and memory?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A member asked:

What is the definition or description of: Porphyria?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 29-year old asked:

When must i see about help if i have acute porphyria?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 34-year old female asked:

How long does it take to get the results of a Porphyria test?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 29-year old asked:

Sunlight hurts when it hits my skin. Have you heard of porphyria?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 49-year old asked:

What is Porphyria? What are the specific problems caused by porphyria?

1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in

A 21-year old asked:

How are the porphyrias inherited? Can my children inherit porphyria from me?

2 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in

A 21-year old asked:

Is porphyria research being conducted? How can I volunteer to participate inresearch?

2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in

A 29-year old female asked:

Is there a quick test to identify if I have porphyria as I am being looked into possibly having the disease?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 21-year old asked:

What is latent porphyria? If my doctor told me that I have latent porphyria, does this mean that I will never have any symptoms?

1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in

A 21-year old asked:

My doctor diagnosed me with porphyria but the porphyria expert said I did not have it. Why would this happen and should I be retested?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 27-year old female asked:

What is porphyria cutanea tarda?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 36-year old asked:

What is porphyria and what sets it off?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 43-year old asked:

Hows porphyria cutanea tarda diagnosed?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 43-year old asked:

How is porphyria cutanea tarda treated?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 27-year old female asked:

Can someone with porphyria cutanea tarda make babies?

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 24-year old asked:

Does porphyria affect my liver? Should I have liver tests?

2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in

A 23-year old male asked:

What medication can one use for gout, if you have porphyria?? As you cant use any anti inflamatory meds with porphyria... please help

1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

A 21-year old asked:

Where can I find a porphyria expert? What other type of doctor can diagnose me properly and what type of specialist should I see if I have porphyria.

1 doctor answer • 4 doctors weighed in

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