Ammonia Biochemical, Plasma

The ammonia test measures the concentration of ammonia in the bloodstream.

The ammonia test is typically conducted to diagnose and monitor conditions that affect the liver function or the urea cycle, such as liver disease, Reye syndrome, and urea cycle enzyme deficiencies. • Liver disease: A condition that causes damage or inflammation to the liver, which can impair its ability to convert ammonia into urea and glutamine. Liver disease can be caused by various factors, such as viral infections (hepatitis), alcohol abuse, autoimmune disorders, or genetic disorders. Liver disease can lead to symptoms such as jaundice, ascites, bleeding tendency, hepatic encephalopathy, and liver failure. • Reye syndrome: A rare but serious condition that affects children and adolescents, usually after a viral infection such as influenza or chickenpox. Reye syndrome causes swelling and damage to the liver and brain, resulting in symptoms such as vomiting, lethargy, confusion, seizures, and coma. Reye syndrome is associated with the use of aspirin or other salicylates during a viral infection. • Urea cycle enzyme deficiencies: A group of rare inherited disorders that result from mutations in the genes that encode the enzymes involved in the urea cycle. The urea cycle is a series of biochemical reactions that convert ammonia into urea in the liver. Urea cycle enzyme deficiencies cause an accumulation of ammonia and other intermediates in the blood, leading to symptoms such as poor feeding, vomiting, lethargy, seizures, developmental delay, and coma.

• When a patient presents with symptoms or signs of liver disease, such as jaundice, ascites, bleeding tendency, hepatic encephalopathy, or liver failure. • When a patient presents with symptoms or signs of Reye syndrome, such as vomiting, lethargy, confusion, seizures, or coma. • When a patient presents with symptoms or signs of urea cycle enzyme deficiencies, such as poor feeding, vomiting, lethargy, seizures, developmental delay, or coma. • To monitor the progression and severity of liver disease or urea cycle enzyme deficiencies over time. • To evaluate the efficacy and safety of treatment for liver disease or urea cycle enzyme deficiencies.

A positive result in the ammonia biochemical plasma test may indicate high levels of ammonia in the blood. This can suggest one of the following conditions: • Liver disease: A condition that causes damage or inflammation to the liver. • Reye syndrome: A rare but serious condition that affects children and adolescents. • Urea cycle enzyme deficiencies: A group of rare inherited disorders that affect the urea cycle.

The test typically involves a blood draw, where a healthcare professional will collect a small sample of blood from a vein, usually in the arm. The process is simple and reasonably rapid.

Patients may be advised to follow specific instructions before the test, such as fasting for a certain period or discontinuing certain medications. It’s essential to follow your healthcare provider’s guidance to ensure accurate test results.

• Liver function tests: To assess the health and function of the liver. • Blood gas analysis: To measure the pH and oxygen levels in the blood. • Lactate test: To measure the level of lactate in the blood. • Glucose test: To measure the level of glucose in the blood. • Electrolytes test: To measure the levels of sodium, potassium, chloride, and bicarbonate in the blood. • Urea cycle intermediates urine test: To measure the levels of urea cycle intermediates such as citrulline and argininosuccinate in the urine. • Genetic testing for urea cycle enzyme deficiencies: To identify the specific type and number of mutations in the genes that encode the urea cycle enzymes.

• Ammonia test • Blood ammonia test • Plasma ammonia test