Ammonia blood test

The ammonia test measures the level of ammonia in a blood sample.

How the Test is performed?
A blood sample is needed.

How to Prepare for the Test
Your health care provider may ask you to stop taking certain drugs that may affect test results. These includes alcohol, acetazolomide, narcotics, valproic acid. You should not smoke before your blood is drawn.

How the Test will Feel
When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain. Others feel only a prick or stinging. Afterwards, there may be some throbbing or a slight bruise. This goes away soon.

Why the Test is Performed
Ammonia (NH3) is produced by cells throughout the body, especially the intestines, liver, and kidneys. Most of the ammonia produced in the body is used by the liver to produce urea. Urea is also a waste product, but it is much less toxic than ammonia. Ammonia is especially toxic to the brain. It can cause confusion, low energy, and sometimes coma. This test may be done if you have, or your provider thinks you have, a condition that may cause a toxic build-up of ammonia. It is most commonly used to diagnose and monitor hepatic encephalopathy, a severe liver disease.

Normal Results
The normal range is 15 to 45 µ/dL (11 to 32 µmol/L). Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Some labs use different measurements or may test different samples. Talk to your provider about the meaning of your specific test results.

What Abnormal Results Mean
Abnormal results may mean you have increased ammonia levels in your blood. This may be due to any of the following:
1) Heart failure
2) Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, usually in the upper GI tract
3) Genetic diseases of the urea cycle
4) High body temperature (hypothermia)
5) Leukaemia
6) Liver failure
7) Low blood potassium level
8) Severe muscle exertion
9) A high-protein diet can also raise the blood ammonia level.

Risks
Veins and arteries vary in size from one person to another and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others. Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight, but may include:
Excessive bleeding
Fainting or feeling light headed
Haematoma (blood accumulating under the skin)
Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)