Ammonia

Why It Is Done

An ammonia test is done to:

• Check how well the liver is working, especially when symptoms of confusion, excessive sleepiness, coma, or hand tremor are present.
• Check the success of treatment for severe liver disease, such as cirrhosis.
• Help identify a childhood disorder called Reye's syndrome that can damage the liver and the brain. Ammonia testing can also help predict the outcome (prognosis) of a diagnosed case of Reye's syndrome.
• Help predict the outcome (prognosis) of a diagnosed case of acute liver failure.
• Check the level of ammonia in a person receiving high-calorie intravenous (IV) nutrition (hyperalimentation).

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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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