Deliver it to the laboratory or your health care provider as soon as possible upon completion. Avoid exposure of the urine to direct light. The test involves only normal urination and there is no discomfort. There are no risks. Delta-ALA is a chemical produced from amino acids in the liver.
Oxygen binds to the iron in the heme molecules.
Each step in the pathway requires a specific enzyme . If any of the enzymes is deficient, a type of porphyria results. Decreased levels may occur with chronic liver disease . Drugs that may increase test measurements include penicillin, barbiturates, oral contraceptives, and griseofulvin.