experts in action

Porphyria Experts in Action

The United Porphyrias Association is proud to work closely with the porphyria experts on the UPA's Scientific Advisory Board and at the Porphyrias Consortium. 

We're pleased to introduce our Experts in Action where we'll feature:

  • Summing UP: Easy-to-understand summaries of recent and important scientific research
  • What's UP Doc? Where the experts answer your questions
  • Meet your experts and advocates: Where we get to know the people who are changing the world for porphyria
  • Special events and recordings
  • New research opportunities
  • And more....

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What's UP Doc? Acute porphyrias and heart health
What's UP Doc? Acute porphyrias and heart health
April 29, 2022
By Dr. Herbert Bonkovsky, Dr. Karl Anderson

Question: Can having tachycardia (fast, irregular heartbeat) due to AHP cause long term health issues? If you have tachycardia from AHP, are there things you can do to protect your heart?

What's UP Doc? Porphyrias Consortium
What's UP Doc? Porphyrias Consortium
April 22, 2022
By Dr. Hetanshi Naik

What is the Porphyrias Consortium? Why is it so important? What do they do?

What's UP Doc? Enzymes and porphyria
What's UP Doc? Enzymes and porphyria
April 15, 2022

What are enzymes and why they are important in the porphyrias?

What's UP Doc?  Making a health care team
What's UP Doc? Making a health care team
March 25, 2022
By Dr. Bruce Wang

Question: Can you recommend a list of specialties for acute porphyria patients, and a list of specialties for cutaneous porphyria patients?

What's UP Doc? CEP and dental care
What's UP Doc? CEP and dental care
March 18, 2022
By Dr. Angelika Erwin

Question: What extra precautions should I take when I am having my teeth cleaned or any dental work? I have CEP and want to talk to my dentist in advance.

What's UP Doc? Acute porphyria and homocysteine
What's UP Doc? Acute porphyria and homocysteine
March 11, 2022
By Dr. Manisha Balwani, Dr. John Phillips

What should a person with Acute Hepatic Porphyria know about homosysteine and is there guidance for patients to follow?

What's UP Doc? EPP and iron supplements
What's UP Doc? EPP and iron supplements
March 4, 2022
By Dr. Amy Dickey

Question: A lot of EPP patients are confused about taking iron supplements. What would you suggest?

What's UP Doc? Acute porphyria and pain
What's UP Doc? Acute porphyria and pain
February 25, 2022
By Dr. Mohamed Kazamel

United Porphyrias has received many questions about pain, most related to pain in the Acute Hepatic Porphyrias (AIP, VP, HCP, ADP). This week, we are addressing Pain in Acute Hepatic Porphyria in depth.

What's UP Doc?  Acute porphyria and liver health
What's UP Doc? Acute porphyria and liver health
February 11, 2022
By Dr. Herbert Bonkovsky

Question: My daughter (now age 26) has AIP. How will acute porphyria attacks impact her liver as she ages? She was diagnosed a few years ago and her last attack was several months ago. 

What's Up Doc? EPP and porphyrin damage
What's UP Doc? EPP and porphyrin damage
February 4, 2022
By Dr. Amy Dickey

Question:  We know that extra porphyrins are what makes the skin hurt when my son has an EPP reaction but are they doing any damage on the inside of the body?