Ammonia, Blood

Overview
Department	Biochemistry
Test Code	WAMM
Synonyms	NH3
Turnaround Time	3 hours
Stability – Add test	Cannot be added on.
Specimen Requirements
Specimen Type	Plasma
Preferrred	4 mL EDTA (K2E) Purple top on ice.
Acceptable
Specimen Transportation	On ice. Sample must be received at lab within 15 minutes of collection.
Pediatric Requirements	600uL EDTA (K2E) Pink top Microtainer on ice.
Aliquot Requirements
Sample Type
Minimum Volume	200 uL
Aliquot Transportation	Frozen
Clinical Information
Reference Intervals	FEMALE: 11-51 umol/L MALE 16-60 umol/L
Test Method	Abbott Alinity C. Enzymatic method.
Advanced Notice	Please notify Biochemistry extension 7881
Patient Preparation	Ideally patient fasted >6 hours. No fist clenching.
Comments
Specimen must be centrifuged at 4°C IMMEDIATELY after receipt.  False high values are obtained after muscular exercise. Please notify the laboratory if patient is on Sulfasalazine/Sulfapyridine medications as these may interfere with this method