Ammonia, Plasma

Overview:

Ammonia is produced when the body breaks down protein, and also by bacteria in the gut. A working liver converts it into urea, which the kidneys then remove. If the liver is badly impaired, or if blood bypasses it, ammonia can build up in the bloodstream and reach the brain, where it contributes to the confusion and drowsiness seen in hepatic encephalopathy. Raised ammonia also occurs in inherited disorders of the urea cycle, which usually present in infancy. Sample handling strongly affects this test: the specimen needs to be kept cold and processed quickly, or the result can read falsely high.

Categories:

Liver, Metabolic

Biomarkers:

1 biomarker