Risk factors

In addition to genetic risks, environmental factors may trigger the development of signs and symptoms in porphyria. When exposed to the trigger, your body's demand for heme production increases. This overwhelms the deficient enzyme, setting in motion a process that causes a buildup of porphyrins.

Examples of triggers include:

• Exposure to sunlight
• Certain medications, including hormone drugs
• Recreational drugs
• Dieting or fasting
• Smoking
• Physical stress, such as infections or other illnesses
• Emotional stress
• Alcohol use
• Menstrual hormones ? acute porphyria attacks are rare before puberty and after menopause in women