AMMONIA, NH3,

Message

CHEMISTRY

Test Code

NH3

Alias/See Also

NH3, NH3 PLASMA

Preferred Specimen

PLASMA

Patient Preparation
Put tube on ice immediately. Draw specimen without a tourniquet. Send to lab ASAP or separate and*** FREEZE PLASMA*****

Minimum Volume

4mLs

Instructions

DRAW 1 LAV TOP TUBE AND PLACE ON ICE IMMEDIATELY!!! SEND TO LAB STAT!!! DRAW SPECIMEN WITHOUT A TOURNIQUET!!! SEPARATE INTO A PLASTIC TUBE AFTER SPINNING.

Transport Container

PLASTIC TUBE

Transport Temperature

FROZEN/ ON ICE

Specimen Stability

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

Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)

Sample not received on Ice, or plasma frozen, Unlabeled sample, or Hemolysed sample >=2+

Methodology
Enzymatic

Setup Schedule

DAILY

Report Available

DAILY

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
WHITE RIVER JUNCTION VT VA-CHEMISTRY 802-295-9363 EXT: 5518, 5519

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.