Ammonia
A byproduct of protein metabolism that climbs when the liver can no longer clear it.
Consider this test if:
- Confusion, drowsiness, disorientation, or tremor in someone with known or suspected liver disease
- Monitoring hepatic encephalopathy or the response to treatment for it
- Investigating unexplained altered mental status where a metabolic cause is on the table
- Evaluating a child or adult for a suspected urea cycle or other inherited metabolic disorder
- HSA/FSA eligible
- Results delivered to your dashboard · Reviewed by a real clinician
- Drawn at a CLIA/CAP-accredited lab near you ·
Pre-test considerations
Draw is usually done fasting, and you should avoid smoking before the test, since smoking and recent exercise can raise ammonia. The result depends heavily on rapid, cold handling: the sample is collected in an EDTA tube, kept on ice, and processed quickly, because ammonia climbs at room temperature and gives falsely high readings if delayed.
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What this test is for
Ammonia is produced when the body breaks down protein, and a healthy liver converts it to urea for excretion. Elevated plasma ammonia is most strongly linked to serious liver dysfunction, including hepatic encephalopathy, cirrhosis, severe hepatitis, drug-induced liver injury, and Reye's syndrome, and it is often checked when confusion, disorientation, lethargy, or altered consciousness accompanies known or suspected liver disease. Levels can also rise in heart failure, kidney impairment with azotemia, and certain inherited metabolic disorders. The correlation between ammonia and the depth of encephalopathy is imperfect, so the result is read alongside the clinical picture rather than used as a stand-alone severity score. Sample handling matters more here than for most tests: ammonia rises quickly after collection unless the specimen is kept cold and processed fast.
What to expect
- 1 Book instantly
Click, book, done. Choose a convenient lab location near you. Transparent, up-front pricing.
- 2 Quick lab visit
Testing to fit your busy schedule, usually 15 minutes or less. Walk-in and appointments available.
- 3 Fast, dashboard-delivered results
Your results post straight to your dashboard as soon as the lab completes them.
- 4 Expert guidance
Included with Mito membership. A clinician reviews your results and your personalized action plan follows, with clear next steps.
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Frequently asked questions
View all FAQsHow does pricing work?
Every test shows the member price next to the standard non-member price, so you can see what membership saves you. The member price is our cost — covering the lab and what it takes to run the service — never a profit on the test itself; Mito makes its money on the $9 membership, not on marking up your tests. Membership is $9/mo, and you still pay the lab’s order fee. Prices are itemized before you pay, with no hidden fees.
Where do I get tested?
Choose a partner lab (Quest, Labcorp, or BioReference) at checkout. If your cart spans multiple tests, we consolidate the whole order onto a single lab so you only make one visit.
Is this eligible for HSA/FSA?
Yes. This test is HSA/FSA eligible, and you can pay with your HSA/FSA card at checkout.
When will I get my results?
Your results post to your dashboard once your lab completes them, then a clinician reviews them and your full analysis and personalized action plan (with clear next steps) follow. Turnaround varies by test: specialty assays and at-home kits take longer, and each test shows its expected turnaround before you buy.
Do I need a doctor’s order?
No. Mito provides the lab order for you, so you can book and get tested without a separate doctor visit.
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