ammonia levels in humans
Ammonia Levels in Humans
An imbalance in the ammonia levels in humans can be a sign of many health issues including liver and kidney diseases. A blood test can help you determine these levels and take necessary treatment from your doctor. This article gives you a brief information on all this, and more.
Classification | Normal Range |
Newborns | 170-340 mcg/dL or 100-200 mcmol/L |
Children | 70-135 mcg/dL or 41-80 mcmol/L |
Adults | 15-60 mcg/dL or 21-50 mcmol/L |
- Do not eat or drink anything 8 hours before the test is conducted.
- Refrain yourself from consumption of alcohol and nicotine, as these elements may alter the test results.
- Make sure that you don't perform any strenuous exercise before the blood test.
- Inform your doctor about the medicines to consume, if any. There are some medications that can alter the ammonia levels.
- The health professional collects the blood sample from the vein on the back of your hand, or at the inner elbow.
- A medicated cotton ball is used to clean the site from where the blood will be withdrawn. This is done in order to prevent infection on the punctured site after the blood sample is collected.
- A plastic band is wrapped around the upper arm so that the flow of the blood is increased towards the veins, which makes it easier for the medical professional to withdraw blood. It also makes the veins pop out, and they become more visible.
- The healthcare provider then inserts a medicated needle attached with a vial, into the vein and withdraws the desired amount of blood required for the test.
- Then the plastic band is removed from the upper arm, and once the pressure is off, the needle is withdrawn.
- A medicated cotton ball is placed on the punctured site, and the site is pressed for sometime to prevent further bleeding and infection.
- The blood sample is then sent to the laboratory to reveal the results. Ammonia levels in the body help determine the causes behind the disturbing symptoms due to which the test is taken. Usually, the results are available within 12 hours after the test is taken.
- Cirrhosis of the liver
- Kidney failure
- Hepatitis
- Heart failure
- Liver diseases
- Intestinal bleeding
- Reye Syndrome
- Internal bleeding in the stomach