Measurement of 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) in serum is potentially useful in acute porphyrias, lead poisoning and hereditary tyrosinemia. Because levels of ALA in serum are about 100 times less than in urine, a highly sensitive method is required. We describe a simple and sensitive fluorometric method that does not require HPLC.
Division of Human Nutrition, Department of Preventive Medicine and Community Health, The University of Texas Medical Branch, 700 Harborside Drive, Galveston, TX 77555-1109, USA. clee@utmb.edu