Porphyria, April 15, 1998

Porphyria, April 15, 1998

This disease is also known as hepatic porphyria or blood pigment disease. The main symptom is abdominal pain caused by porphyrin metabolism disorders. The pain is severe but physical signs are subtle, with no fixed location, coming and going intermittently, sometimes lasting several days, most often half a day, rarely exceeding one to two hours. During attacks, urine turns dark brown, yet routine urinalysis shows no occult blood, and all three routine tests remain normal. Liver function tests reveal abnormalities, hence the term “hepatic porphyria.” Treatment mainly involves sedatives and adrenal corticosteroids, but these are only marginally effective or ineffective. Traditional Chinese medicine formulas such as Xuefu Zhuyu Tang and Gexia Zhuyu Tang are effective for treating this condition.