| Ordering Code | 460 |
|---|---|
| Test Name | Ammonia |
| Alias | NH3 |
| Preferred Specimen | Plasma |
| Preferred Container | EDTA, K2 (Lavender) |
| Other Specimen/Container | None |
| Optimum Volume | 1 mL |
| Collection Instructions | Draw full tube. Immediately after collection, place tube in wet ice. |
| Handling Instructions | QMC draws: Send tightly capped specimen on wet ice to the testing lab within 1 hour of draw Other draw sites: Immediately after collection, centrifuge specimen (capped) to separate, aliquot and freeze. |
| Transport Requirements | Oahu: Frozen Airline: Frozen |
| Specimen Stability | Ambient: 30 Minutes Refrigerated: 2 Hours Frozen at -15 to -25 C: 3 Days Frozen at -60 to -90 C: At least 4 weeks |
| Rejection Criteria | Insufficient quantity, Specimen older than stability limits, Specimen/aliquot tube not capped or loosely capped, Uncentrifuged specimen not received on wet ice, Specimen Clotted, Moderate hemolysis, Aliquot specimen not sent/received frozen. |
| Avail. Stat | YES |
| Analytic Time | 1 Day |
| Methodology | Enzymatic - glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH) |
Reference range(s)
The reference ranges listed below are valid on this date of November 22, 2025.
| Component | Age | Male Norm | Male Critical Low | Male Critical High | Female Norm | Female Critical High | Female Critical Low | Units | Add'l info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ammonia | ALL | 12-41 | 12-41 | umol/L |
