Ammonia
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, amonijak
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.
Frequently asked questions
- What is a normal Ammonia level?
- A typical reference range for Ammonia is 15 — 45 µmol/L (source: ABIM). Reference ranges vary by laboratory, age, and sex, so always compare against the range on your own lab report.
- What units is Ammonia measured in?
- Ammonia is most commonly reported in µmol/L. Labs in different countries may use other units — you can convert between them with BloodId's blood test unit converter.
- Where do Ammonia reference ranges come from?
- BloodId uses ABIM standard reference ranges and educational information from MedlinePlus (see our methodology). Reference ranges still vary by lab, age, and sex, so always compare against your own report.
- Can I track Ammonia over time?
- Yes. Upload results from any lab and BloodId charts your Ammonia over time against its reference range, so you can see whether the trend is rising, falling, or stable.
Related biomarkers
Source: MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine