Ammonia, Blood - Saskatoon
Discipline
Overview
Alias
- NH3
Specimen Information
Specimen types accepted
- Plasma
Specimen collection container
Preferred Collection Container: LAVENDER (4.0 mL K2 EDTA)
Alternative Collection Container: LAVENDER (3.0 mL K2 EDTA)
Collection procedure
Patient should not smoke prior to sampling
Collection container MUST be prechilled, filled completely and placed immediately on ice
Capillary collection tubes may be used
Transport specimen on ice immediately to the laboratory
Whole blood sample must be centrifuged refrigerated within 30 minutes of collection
Centrifuged plasma must be received on ice in testing laboratory within 1 hr of collection. If this is not possible the sample must be aliquoted and frozen before sending.
Required volume
Optimal Volume: 4.0 mL Full collection tube
Minimum Volume: 1.0 mL
(Submitting the minimum volume makes it impossible to repeat the test or perform confirmatory/reflex testing. In some situations, a minimum volume may require a second collection.)
Pediatric Volume 0.5 mL
Capillary Volume: 0.5 mL (minimum of 250 μL)
Transport and stability
- 1 hour on ice
- Frozen specimens: 1 week
Rejection criteria
- Specimens received where the proper collection protocols were not followed
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Acceptance and Rejection Criteria
Performance
Methodology
- Enzymatic assay
Days/times performed
| Availability |
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Maximum laboratory time
Results reporting
- In Hospital reported within 2 hours
- Community urgent and inter-hospital reported within 4 hours
- Community routine reported within 24 hours
Specimen retention time
- 3 days
Last Updated: April 2, 2026