$54.00
Priced per marker, with baseline labs included. You’ll see your total before you pay.
Metabolism & organs
Ammonia test
Toxic nitrogen byproduct cleared by the liver; elevations can cause confusion and may point to severe liver dysfunction.
At a glance
In about 5 days
Most results are ready in about 5 days. Some specialty markers can take up to 21 days.
Check before your draw
This marker has no preparation tag, but it can still need preparation. Contact us before your draw if you’re not sure.
Walk in at Quest
Your lab order arrives by email. Most Quest locations take walk-ins, so bring it with a photo ID.
What it measures
Ammonia is a waste product made when your body breaks down protein. A healthy liver turns it into urea, which your kidneys pass in urine, so high levels may point to a liver that’s struggling.
Why it matters for women
Ammonia is mainly checked when someone with liver disease becomes confused or unusually sleepy, since a liver that isn’t working well can let it build up. It isn’t a routine screening test, so it’s most useful when a doctor is following up on liver concerns or a rare inherited condition.
You might check it if…
- you live with liver disease and a doctor asked for it
- a doctor is checking how your liver handles waste
- a relative has a disorder that affects clearing ammonia
What your result may mean
High Ammonia: what it may mean
High ammonia may mean your liver can't turn it into urea fast enough, so it builds up in your blood. It can happen with cirrhosis, confusion from liver disease (hepatic encephalopathy) or rare urea cycle disorders. High levels can cause confusion, unusual sleepiness or changes in behavior. In pregnancy, a clinician may check it with sudden confusion, since acute fatty liver of pregnancy and HELLP syndrome can affect the liver. Sample handling can sway this result, because ammonia can rise if blood sits too long before testing.
Low Ammonia: what it may mean
Low ammonia may not be clinically meaningful, and it can simply be a normal finding. A healthy liver can turn ammonia into urea quickly, so little may be left in your blood. This isn't a routine screening test, so a clinician may use it only when following up on liver concerns, confusion or a rare inherited condition. A low value can't speak to your overall liver health, which a clinician may check with ALT, AST and bilirubin.
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These notes provide context and do not diagnose a condition. Not yet available in NY, NJ, RI, HI, ND, SD or WV.