Catalog ID Ammonia Ammonia
CPOE Test Name
Ammonia
Synonyms
NH4, NH3
Specimen Type
Plasma
Specimen Requirements
4 mL Dark Green-top (sodium heparin) tube
Storage and Transport
Put on ice, transport immediately.
Causes for Rejection
Wrong container; hemolysis; not transported on ice;
specimen not received immediately after collection; improper labeling; insufficient quantity
Special Instructions
The vendor states that the ammonia assay may be affected by cigarette smoking by either the patient or the specimen collection staff.
There is a significant positive bias with new Ammonia testing methodology which began Nov 6th, 2018. Results released after this date have approximately a 35% increase as compared to previous Ammonia results. Please take this change into consideration when interpreting these results.
Reference Values
0-3 days of age 10 - 107 umol/L
3 - 14 days of age 10 - 92 umol/L
15 days of age - 150 years 10 - 50 umol/L
Critical Values
0-3 days of age critical high ≥ 108 umol/L
4 days of age and older critical high ≥ 100 umol/L
Performing Lab
Core Laboratory, AD 3301 721-2120
Turn Around Time
Urgent/Emergent: 1 hr.
CPT / HCPCS Code
82140