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Test Code AMON Ammonia Level

Important Note

Outpatient specimens must be collected at a hospital outpatient laboratory

EHR Test Codes

  Test Code Test Name
Atlas AMON Ammonia
Cerner   Ammonia Level

Specimen Requirements

Preparation of Patient:

None

 

Container Type:

Green Top 5mL Lithium Heparin Separator Tube on Ice Slurry

 

Specimen Type:

Plasma

 

Specimen Volume:

2.5mL Pasma minimum .3mL

 

Specimen Handling/Transport:  

  1. Immediately after collection place specimen in an ice water slurry (mostly ice with some water).
  2. Immediately transport to the laboratory for processing
  3. Specimen must be spun in a refrigerated centrifuge (NO EXCEPTIONS) within 20 minutes of collection, separating the plasma from cells.  Once spun down, a green top tube with a gel barrier is considered separated from the cells.
  4. Immediately deliver sample to Chemistry for analysis.  Keep specimen capped at all times to avoid exposure to atmosphere.

 

Specimen Stability/Storage:

3 hours at 2 – 8 °C

 

Specimen Rejection:

Hemolysis index >1

 

Performing Laboratory

Munson Healthcare Laboratories

Priority, Frequency, & Turnaround

Priority:

STAT, ASAP, Non-Emergent

 

Frequency:

24 hours 7 days a week

 

Turnaround:

0 - 1 days

STAT 60 minute from receipt in lab

Methodology

Glutamate Dehydrogenase

Reporting

Reference Range:

1-30 µmol/L

 

Critical Decision: 

0 years to 21 years old:  ≥ 75 umol/L

Note:  Critical values are called to the provider and communicated as critical.  Documentation of the call is recorded in the patient record.

Clinical Significance

Elevated levels of blood ammonia can be helpful in diagnosis.  Severe and diffuse degeneration or death of the liver cells compromises the liver's ability to remove ammonia from the blood.  Elevated levels are associated with hepatic cirrhosis , Reye's Syndrome, portocaval shunt and congenital disorders.

CPT Code(s)

82140