Ammonia Test

The ammonia test is used to detect an elevated level in the blood that can be caused by severe liver disease, kidney failure, Reye syndrome or a rare genetic disorder of the urea cycle. It may be used to help investigate the cause of an individual's changes in behavior and consciousness. This test may be used to diagnose the cause of a coma or to help support the diagnosis of Reye syndrome or hepatic encephalopathy caused by various liver diseases. The test can also be used to monitor the effectiveness of treatment of hepatic encephalopathy.

It is strongly advised that you should not smoke prior to the collection of blood specimen. Also, it is recommended that you should either wear a sleeve-less or a short-sleeved shirt. Wearing a shirt with full-sleeves that can easily be rolled-up is also fine. There is no need to disturb your diet routine before the test. You can eat and drink normally. Though, if the blood taken is also to be used for further different tests, the doctor will inform you in prior. In that case, you only need to fast for few hours.

The test detects the following: In infants, high level of ammonia in the blood is associated with an inherited urea cycle enzyme deficiency. An increased ammonia level and decreased glucose level may indicate the presence of Reye syndrome in symptomatic children and teens. An increased concentration may indicate an undiagnosed enzymatic defect of the urea cycle.

In children and adults, an elevated ammonia level may indicate that severe liver or kidney damage has impacted the body's ability to clear ammonia and that the brain may be affected. A decreased level of ammonia may be seen with some types of hypertension.

The ammonia test can be done at numerous sites such as the doctor's clinic, test center, and infirmaries: An alcohol pad is used to clean the skin. A needle is injected through the part of rinsed skin in to your vein. The blood is dragged out from the needle by a nozzle, saved in a vessel and sealed with your name. This sample is carried to the research laboratory for examination.