Ammonia

Test Code

AMMONIA

Alias/See Also

NH4
Chemistry

Preferred Specimen

Lavender Top Tube On Ice-Plasma

Minimum Volume

1 mL

Instructions

Spin immediately, separate plasma, and freeze immediately

Transport Temperature

Frozen

Specimen Stability

Refrigerated (2-8°C): 2 hrs, if separated immediately
Frozen (-20°C or colder): 3 weeks

Methodology
Enzymatic

Setup Schedule

Daily

Report Available

TAT 1 - 3 days

Reference Range

10 - 52 umol/L

Clinical Significance

Ammonia is one of the by-products of protein metabolism. Elevated blood ammonia levels have been associated with severe liver dysfunction such as hepatic encephalopathy, coma resulting from cirrhosis, severe hepatitis, Reye's syndrome, and drug hepatotoxicity. Also, elevated blood ammonia has been reported in cardiac failure, azotemia, and pulmonary emphysema. Correlation between plasma ammonia and the degree of encephalopathy can be erratic.

Performing Laboratory
Test performed at the West Roxbury Chemistry Lab
Contact: Jonathan Dryjowicz-Burek, 857-203-5973

Last Updated: April 3, 2019

The CPT Codes provided in this document are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed. Any Profile/panel component may be ordered separately. Reflex tests are performed at an additional charge.