| Test Name: | Ammonia | | |
| Epic Order Code: | LAB47 | | |
| CPT Code: | 82140 | | |
| Specimen(s) Type: | Plasma | | |
| Acceptable Container(s): |  Top is purple (lavender) |
| Testing Schedule: | 24 hrs/day, 7 days/week |
| Turn Around Time: | STAT: 1 hour |
| | Routine: 2 hours |
| Collection Information: | No special patient preparation is required. Obtain by standard collection procedures. Fill tube completely and keep tightly stoppered. Place on ice immediately. |
| Transport Information: | Deliver to lab immediately on ice. All specimens must be signed into the laboratory. |
| Reference Clients: | If unable to deliver to the lab within 20 minutes, centrifuge the specimen and remove plasma from the red cells. Keep container tightly capped. Store and transport at -20° C. Specimen must be received in the lab within 24 hours. |
| Causes for Rejection: | Improperly labeled, incorrect container, contaminated, insufficient quantity, incorrect/delay in transport. |
| Reference Range: | Males: | 16-60 µmol/L | |
| | Females: | 11-51 µmol/L | |
| Additional Information: | One known source of spontaneous ammonia formation is an increased gamma-glutamyl transferase activity leading to decomposition of glutamine. |