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Ammonia
MessageTest performed at York Hospital Laboratory.
For STAT testing, notify the lab prior to collecting the specimen.
For STAT testing, notify the lab prior to collecting the specimen.
Test Code
AMON
CPT Codes
82140
Preferred Specimen
0.2 mL plasma collected in a lithium heparin (green-top) gel separator tube
Instructions
Place sample on ice immediately after collection.
Plasma must be removed from the cellular material within 15 minutes of collection.
Plasma must be removed from the cellular material within 15 minutes of collection.
Transport Temperature
Frozen
Specimen Stability
Room temperature: Unacceptable
Refrigerated: 3 hours
Frozen: 24 hours
Refrigerated: 3 hours
Frozen: 24 hours
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Hemolyzed specimen
Specimen not received on ice
Specimen with collection time not recorded on the tube
Specimen received after 15 minutes from collection time
Specimen not received on ice
Specimen with collection time not recorded on the tube
Specimen received after 15 minutes from collection time
Methodology
Colorimetric
Setup Schedule
Daily
Report Available
Next Day
Available STAT 2 hours
Available STAT 2 hours
Reference Range
9-33 umol/L
Clinical Significance
Ammonia is a waste product of protein catabolism; it is potentially toxic to the central nervous system. Increased plasma ammonia may be indicative of hepatic encephalopathy, hepatic coma in terminal stages of liver cirrhosis, hepatic failure, acute and subacute liver necrosis, and Reye's syndrome. Hyperammonemia may also be found with increasing dietary protein intake.