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Test Code AMM.1 AMMONIA

Important Note

Specimen must be centrifuged and plasma removed from cells within 20 minutes of draw.

Immediately place on wet ice.

If there is a delay in transport of >20 minutes, spin down, separate plasma from cells, and send 1 mL (minimum volume: 0.5 mL) of plasma frozen in plastic vial.

 

Methodology

Colorimetric

 

Useful for assisting in diagnosis of impending or existing hepatic coma, investigating inborn errors of metabolism, and evaluating patients with advanced liver disease.

Specimen Requirements

Specimen must be centrifuged and plasma removed from cells within 20 minutes of draw.

 

Preferred:

Container/Tube: Green-top (lithium heparin) tube

Specimen Volume: Full tube

Collection Instructions:

  1. Fill tube completely.
  2. Immediately place specimen on WET ICE.

If there is a delay in transport of >20 minutes, spin down, separate plasma from cells, and send 1 mL (minimum volume: 0.5 mL) of plasma frozen in plastic vial.

 

Alternate:

Container/Tube: Lavender-top (ETDA) tube
Specimen Volume: Full Tube

Collection Instructions:

  1. Fill tube(s) completely.
  2. Immediately place specimen on WET ICE.

If there is a delay in transport of >20 minutes, spin down, separate plasma from cells, and send 1 mL (minimum volume: 0.5 mL) of plasma frozen in plastic vial.

Day(s) Test Set Up

Monday through Sunday

Reference Values

9-30 µmol/L

Critical value (automatic call-back): >100 µmol/L

Performing Laboratory

Logan Health Medical Center-Chemistry

Test Classification and CPT Coding

82140

Specimen Transport Temperature

On wet ice