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Test Code: ZPP Preferred Name Zinc protoporphyrin

No
N/A
Daily
once per week
Medicare Item
6 days

Test Tubes

ImageSpecimen TypeSpecimen VolumeTube Type
Blood3 mLEDTA 3 mL whole blood (Lavender top)

COLLECTION NOTES

FBC and ZPP can be performed off the same EDTA tube.

GENERAL NOTES



APPLICATION:  The measurement of zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP) in the red cells is used as a rapid screening test for relative iron-deficienct erythropoesis. In the development of red cells, heme is formed by the insertion of iron into a formed porphyrin ring.  In the event of insufficient iron supply or impaired iron utilization, zinc is substituted for iron; hence, the levels of ZPP in the red cell INCREASE and can be used as a functional indicator of the available iron supply.

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