Ammonia is a waste product produced when proteins are broken down in the body. The liver normally converts ammonia into urea for safe excretion by the kidneys.
Category: Liver Function
Also known as: ammonia, nh3, blood ammonia, plasma ammonia, serum ammonia
Reference range: 15–45 µmol/L (Source: ABIM)
Standard unit: µmol/L
High values may indicate
High ammonia (hyperammonemia) may indicate liver failure, hepatic encephalopathy, cirrhosis, Reye's syndrome, or urea cycle disorders.
Low values may indicate
Low ammonia is generally not a clinical concern and is usually considered normal.