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- Ultraviolet (UV) rays: the invisible wavelengths of light that are harmful to the skin. Ultraviolet rays with a wavelength close to blue, which we can see, are called UVB radiation, and is particularly damaging to the skin in porphyria. Ultraviolet rays with a slightly shorter wavelength are called UVA, and are associated with sunburn even in normal people. Thus, people with photosensitivity due to porphyria need to protect themselves against both UVA and UVB.
- Urinary retention: inability to urinate.
- Uroporphyrin: a compound derived from uroporphyrinogen. Increased uroporphyrin levels in the urine may indicate Congenital Erythropoietic Porphyria.
- Uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase (UROD): the enzyme in Step 5 of the heme biosynthesis pathway; a deficiency results in Porphyria Cutanea Tarda (PCT) and Hepatoerythropoietic Porphyria (HEP).
- Uroporphyrinogen I: an intermediate in heme biosynthesis pathway.
- Uroporphyrinogen III: an intermediate in heme biosynthesis pathway.
- Uroporphyrinogen III Synthase (UROS): the enzyme in Step 4 of the heme biosynthesis pathway; a deficiency results in Congenital Erythropoietic Porphyria (CEP).
