What is it used for?
An ammonia levels test may be used to diagnose and/or monitor conditions that cause high ammonia levels. These include:
Hepatic encephalopathy, a condition that happens when the liver is too diseased or damaged to properly process ammonia. In this disorder, ammonia builds up in the blood and travels to the brain. It can cause confusion, disorientation, coma, and even death.
Reye syndrome, a serious and sometimes fatal condition that causes damage to the liver and brain. It mostly affects children and teenagers who are recovering from viral infections such as chicken pox or the flu and have taken aspirin to treat their illnesses. The cause of Reye syndrome is unknown. But because of the risk, children and teens should not take aspirin unless specifically recommended by your health care provider.
Urea cycle disorders, rare genetic defects that affect the body's ability to change ammonia into urea.
The test may also be used to monitor the effectiveness of treatment for liver disease or kidney failure.
