Ammonia, Blood

Tests:Ammonia, Blood


Overview

Department Biochemistry
Test Code WAMM
Synonyms NH3 
Availability Monday - Sunday, testing routinely available out of hours
Turnaround Time 3 hours
Stability – Add test Cannot be added on

Specimen Requirements

Specimen Plasma
Preferrred EDTA Purple-Top collected on ice
Acceptable
Unacceptable Sample not received on ice

Capillary blood

Moderate or grossly haemolysed samples

Specimen Transportation On ice, sample must be received at lab within 15 minutes of collection.      
Paediatric Requirements 600uL paediatric EDTA Pink top collected on ice

Aliquot Requirements

Sample Plasma
Preferred Volume 0.5 mL
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 CI analyser. 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

Owner Clair Crossley (Crossley1)
Last reviewed 23.01.2026
Next review 23.01.2027 (OK)