Hemoglobin ( the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from your lungs to all parts of your body) has a major component called heme. Heme plays a role in the break down of chemicals so they can be removed from the body. Heme is made through the production of porphyrin. Deficiency of a specific enzyme involved in the body's process for making heme can result in the buildup of porphyrins (site 1 tab) which causes porphyria.
Madison Kreimeyer's | What causes Porphyria? |