Porphyrias are a group of rare inherited blood disorders. People
with these disorders do not make heme, a component of hemoglobin
(protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen) properly. Heme
is made of porphyrin (a naturally-occurring organic compound in
the body) bound to iron. Heme helps red blood cells (RBCs) carry
oxygen and also gives RBCs their color. It is also found in
myoglobin, a protein in the heart and skeletal muscles. The body
goes through several steps to make heme. However, in people with
porphyria, the body lacks certain enzymes needed to complete
this process, causing porphyrin to accumulate in tissues and
blood. This may cause a variety of symptoms, ranging from mild
to severe. The most common symptoms of porphyria are abdominal
pain, light sensitivity (causing rashes or blisters), and
problems with the muscles and nervous system. The symptoms of
porphyria vary and depend on which enzyme is missing. Porphyria
is a genetic disease. According to The Journal of Family
Planning (JFP), most t