Ammonia
Results
An ammonia test measures the amount of ammonia in the blood. Results are usually available within 12 hours.
Normal
Normal values may vary from lab to lab.
Ammonia Adults:
Children:
40–80 mcg/dL
28–57 mcmol/L
Newborns:
90–150 mcg/dL
64–107 mcmol/L
High values
High levels of ammonia in the blood may be caused by:
- Liver disease, such as cirrhosis or hepatitis.
- Reye's syndrome.
- Heart failure.
- Kidney failure.
- Severe bleeding from the stomach or intestines.
High ammonia values in a baby may be present when the blood types of a mother and her baby do not match (hemolytic disease of the newborn).
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| Author: | Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS | Last Updated: January 2, 2008 |
| Medical Review: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Jerome B. Simon, MD, FRCPC, FACP - Gastroenterology | |
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| Topic Contents | |
| Test Overview | |
| Why It Is Done | |
| How To Prepare | |
| How It Is Done | |
| How It Feels | |
| Risks | |
 | Results |
| What Affects the Test | |
| What To Think About | |
| References | |
| Credits | |