PORPHYRINS

Porphyria is an inherited disorder in which the body produces too much of the chemical porphyrin. Porphyrin is essential to make the part of blood that carries oxygen.Any circulating porphyrin the body doesn't use is excreted in urine and stool.

When the body produces and excretes too much porphyrin, as happens with porphyria, not enough haem remains to keep a person healthy. Porphyria affects either the nervous system or the skin.

Attacks can be triggered by drugs (barbiturates, tranquillisers, contraceptive pills, sedatives) as well as chemicals, certain foods, and exposure to the sun.