Ammonia

Measures ammonia in the blood; important in evaluating certain liver and metabolic conditions.

To evaluate severe liver disease and some causes of impaired consciousness.

1. Check in advance whether you need to fast or have your blood drawn at a specific time.
2. Collecting and handling an ammonia sample follows strict rules. Blood is drawn by staff; contact the laboratory in advance so that rapid processing of the sample can be arranged.
3. Before the blood draw, avoid unusually intense physical exercise unless your doctor has advised otherwise.
4. Tell your doctor and the laboratory staff about any medicines and dietary supplements you take.

There is no single rule. Whether you need to fast, and for how long, depends on the purpose of the test and the laboratory method; check in advance.

A specific time is generally not required. If your doctor has set a different time, follow those instructions.

• Delayed sample processing
• Hemolysis and improper transport
• Food and certain medicines

Venous blood — serum or plasma, depending on the method

Controlling time and temperature is especially important when collecting and transporting an ammonia sample. A specialist collects the sample and processes it immediately, following the instructions for the specific method.

Elevated ammonia may be linked to severe liver disease and other metabolic conditions; errors in sample handling can also raise it.

Seek emergency care immediately for clouded consciousness, extreme drowsiness or seizures.

Delays or improper transport of the sample can falsely raise the result.