Ammonia, Plasma

Test code

5509

CPT code(s)*

82140

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Clinical significance

Ammonia, Plasma - Ammonia is one of the by-products of protein metabolism. Elevated blood ammonia levels have been associated with severe liver dysfunction such as hepatic encephalopathy, coma resulting from cirrhosis, severe hepatitis, Reye's syndrome and drug hepatotoxicity. Also, elevated blood ammonia has been reported in cardiac failure, azotemia, and pulmonary emphysema. Correlation between plasma ammonia and the degree of encephalopathy can be erratic.

Test resources

None found for this test
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Details

Test details

Methodology

Enzymatic

Specimen requirements
Patient preparation	None Specified
Preferred specimen(s)	2 mL frozen plasma collected in an EDTA (lavender-top) tube
Minimum volume	0.5 mL
Collection instructions	Collect blood from stasis-free vein of patient (e.g., no tourniquet). Patient should not clench fist during collection, as muscular exertion often increases venous ammonia levels. Patient should avoid smoking prior to phlebotomy since smoking increases plasma ammonia levels. Tubes should be filled completely and kept tightly stoppered at all times. Place immediately on ice. Separate plasma from cells within 15 minutes and freeze plasma immediately.
Transport container	Transport tube
Transport temperature	Frozen
Specimen stability	Room temperature: Unacceptable Refrigerated: Unacceptable Frozen: 24 hours
Reject criteria	Hemolysis • Received thawed • PPT Potassium EDTA (white-top) tube

Reference range(s)

≤72 umol/L

LOINC® codes

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Service Area Information

Performing lab & setup schedule

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Service Area Information

Reference ranges are provided as general guidance only. To interpret test results use the reference range in the laboratory report.

*The CPT codes provided are based on AMA guidance and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payer being billed.

This material contains content from LOINC® (http://loinc.org). The LOINC Table, LOINC Table Core are copyright © 1995-2019, Regenstrief Institute, Inc. and the Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) Committee and is available at no cost under the license at http://loinc.org/license.