Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the normal range of ammonia levels in the blood?
What is the normal range of ammonia levels in the blood?
Which of the following is a primary indication for measuring ammonia levels?
Which of the following is a primary indication for measuring ammonia levels?
Which factor can interfere with ammonia level testing?
Which factor can interfere with ammonia level testing?
What is one purpose of checking ammonia levels in a patient receiving total parenteral nutrition?
What is one purpose of checking ammonia levels in a patient receiving total parenteral nutrition?
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Which condition is NOT associated with high ammonia levels?
Which condition is NOT associated with high ammonia levels?
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Study Notes
### Ammonia Blood Test
- Measures the amount of ammonia in the blood
- Ammonia is created by the breakdown of protein
- The liver converts ammonia to urea, which is excreted in urine
- Normal range is 6-47 mcmol/L
- Used to diagnose severe liver diseases
- High ammonia levels can indicate liver disease (e.g., cirrhosis, hepatitis), Reye syndrome, heart failure, kidney failure, severe bleeding from the stomach or intestines
- Low ammonia levels can indicate essential or malignant hypertension
- Factors that can interfere with the test results:
- Smoking
- Eating a high-protein or low-protein diet
- Drugs that increase blood ammonia (e.g., Loop diuretics, narcotics, thiazides, alcohol)
- Drugs that decrease blood ammonia (e.g., broad spectrum antibiotics, levodopa, potassium salts)
- Strenuous exercise before the test
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Description
Discover the importance of the ammonia blood test, its normal ranges, and what high or low ammonia levels can indicate about liver and kidney health. Learn about the factors that can affect the results of this essential diagnostic tool used for severe liver diseases.
