AMMONIA

How Ammonia Is Processed

1️⃣ Protein is broken down → produces ammonia
2️⃣ The liver converts ammonia → urea (via the urea cycle)
3️⃣ Urea is excreted in urine

If the liver cannot process ammonia properly, levels rise in the blood.

🩺 Why Doctors Order an Ammonia Test

To evaluate:

• Confusion or altered mental status

• Suspected Hepatic encephalopathy

• Severe liver disease

• Rare inherited urea cycle disorders

📊 Normal Range (Varies by Lab)

• Typically 15–45 µg/dL
  (or 11–35 µmol/L depending on units)

🚨 High Ammonia Levels May Indicate

• Severe liver disease (cirrhosis)

• Liver failure

• Gastrointestinal bleeding

• Urea cycle disorders

• Certain infections

High levels can affect the brain and cause:

• Confusion

• Drowsiness

• Behavioral changes