Ammonia
3026
cpt
normal turn-around time
assays included
specimen type
minimum required
AMON
82140
24 hours
AMON
Plasma
1 mL of heparinized or EDTA plasma
collection instructions
Collect blood in a Lithium heparin or EDTA tube
Centrifuge and separate plasma from cells within 2 hours of collection.
Transport the specimen at 2-8°C if not tested within 2 hours.
collection instructions
Hemolysis: Red blood cell destruction can falsely increase glucose levels.
Improper Labeling: Specimen must be labeled with at least two patient identifiers.
Insufficient Quantity: Volume less than 1 mL may not be sufficient for accurate testing.
Lipemia: Excessive fat in the blood can interfere with certain test results.
clinical significance
The Ammonia test measures the amount of ammonia in the blood. Elevated ammonia levels can indicate liver dysfunction, such as hepatic encephalopathy, Reye's syndrome, or inborn errors of metabolism. This test is used to diagnose and monitor conditions that affect the liver's ability to convert ammonia to urea, which is then excreted by the kidneys.