Description
Ammonia is produced by de-amination of amino acids in the liver as well as by urea-splitting bacteria in the gut from where it is absorbed. Ammonia is a toxic substance that is rapidly metabolised to urea by liver enzymes and excreted in the urine.
Indications
Increased plasma ammonia levels are seen in fulminant hepatic failure, cirrhosis, gastrointestinal bleeding, portal-systemic shunting of blood, renal disease, genitourinary tract infection and Reye's syndrome.Increased plasma ammonia levels are also seen in several inborn errors of metabolism such as hyperammonemia types I and II, argininamia, ornithinemia, citrullinemia, lysine intolerance, hyperlysinuria, and dibasic aminoaciduria type II.
Sample Type, Quantity & Conditions
2 ml EDTA Plasma Keep under ice
Special Precautions
Tube must be filled completely and kept tightly sealed at all times. It is preferable to use a vacutainer. Mix well. Place on ice immediately. Separate plasma within 15 minutes of venipuncture.
Normal Range
By Report
