These excess porphyrin compounds can be retained within the cell and interfere with cell metabolism, can overflow into the bloodstream and cause harmful effects to the body tissues, and can allow unusual absorption of radiant energy. The type of pophyria developed depends on where, in the chain of hemoglobin production, the faulty chemical reaction takes place. The excess porphyrins are excreted in the urine, blood and stool, and will cause the urine to become a deep wine-red colour when exposed to sunlight. When this discolouration of urine was found to be associated with a patient's condition, the disease was appropriately named porphyria. There is very little literature printed about the disease porphyria.
Many dictionaries give it one line.
The few articles written on this disease are often misleading, contradictory, and unreliable. This archaic information is very confusing to the reader. To those diagnosed with porphyria the effect can be more deleterious than enlightening and beneficial. The absence of knowledge about porphyria is also evident throughout the population, including medical personnel. Upon questioning numerous working Registered Nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses, it was found that the majority had not heard of pophyria and only a few vaguely remembered hearing the word.