Ammonia (Blood)

Department

Chemical Pathology

Delphic Registration Code (Alpha Code)

MAMM

Test Code (Numeric Code)

0436

Laboratory Handling

Phlebotomy

Within Middlemore Hospital: Mark as urgent and send immediately to Laboratory -- ice not required if the specimen is received in the lab within 30min.

Transport

If sending from Manukau Health Park: Separate immediately and send on ice without delay.

Laboratory

Contact Chemical Pathology Department prior to specimen collection so that analysis can be performed with minimal delay.

Sample Stability

<30 Mins post collect RT

Synonyms

Ammonia (NH3)

Turnaround Time

30 minutes

Available 24 hours

Specimen Type

• Plasma

Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• EDTA (Lavender Cap)

Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

4

Paediatric Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• EDTA (Microtainer)

Minimum Sample Volume (ml)

1

Test Method

Principle: Enzymatic method
Analyser: Roche Diagnostics Cobas c703/c503
Reagents: NH3L2

Limitations / Interference

Falsely elevated ammonia results are common:
Levels rise rapidly after collection.
False high values are obtained after muscular exercise and could be due to contaminations include cigarette smoking (patient and phlebotomy staff) and sweat (if micro collect).

Falsely low values can be seen with in-vitro haemolysis.

Uncertainty of Measurement

7.5%

Additional Costing Information

For more information, please contact us at +64 (09) 276 0167

Contact Information