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Laboratory Information

Test Name

Ammonia

Synonyms

NH4

Specimen Collection

Adult Specimen

EDTA (purple) tube

Pre Testing Requirements

Please notify the Laboratory that the specimen is on its way.

Specimen Collection and Transport Protocols

EDTA (purple) on ice

Paediatric Specimen

EDTA (purple) microtube on ice

Instructions for Referral to Waikato Lab

Aliquot Transport

Frozen and transport within 24 hrs.

Test Information

Department

Biochemistry

Test Availability

Mon - Sun, 24hrs

Laboratory Turnaround Time

2 - 3 hrs

Method

Cobas Pro enzymatic

Unit of measurement

umol/L

Reference interval

0 - 50 umol/L

Ammonia levels may be elevated due to preanalytical sources.
These include:-
Poor collection technique. The skin must be thoroughly cleaned prior to collection.
Ammonia can be performed on a micro-collect, but the slower collection procedure
increases the level.
Haemolysed specimens and prolonged storage (even once frozen) will result in
elevated levels making interpretation difficult.
Enviromental contamination. Exogenous sources of ammonia, eg smokers (patient or phlebotomist),
cleaning solutions and urine may lead to elevated levels.

Uncertainty of measurement

Additional Information

This test must be processed urgently. Please notify the Laboratory that the specimen is on its way. Ammonia levels may be elevated due to pre-analytical sources. These include: Poor collection technique. The skin must be thoroughly cleaned prior to collect. Smokers, cleaning solutions and urine will increase levels. Haemolysis increase levels.

Minimum Volume

0.2 mL EDTA plasma

Electronic Information

Registration Code

AMM

HL7 mapping code

$AMM

Laboratory Test Reference Guide