Complete Blood Count (CBC): Understanding Your Blood Test
This test measures the amount of ammonia in the dialysis fluid to help doctors evaluate how well dialysis treatment is working.
{"The test checks ammonia levels in dialysis fluid during treatment","It helps assess if dialysis is effectively removing waste from your blood","High ammonia in dialysis fluid may indicate the need for treatment adjustments","The test is performed using fluid collected from the dialysis machine","Results help your healthcare team optimize your dialysis care"}
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 54349-6
- Short code
- Ammonia Dial fld-mCnc
- Synonyms
- Ammonia Dial fld-mCnc
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Red-top tube (SST)
- Units
- N/A
- Critical range
- — – 200 N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- Specimen volume
- 5 mL
- Stability
- Room temperature: 4h, Refrigerated: 24h, Frozen: 7d
- Hemolysis max
- 500
- Lipemia max
- 1000
- Icterus max
- 500
- TAT
- 4–24 hours
- Order
- routine
A complete blood count (CBC) is a common blood test that measures the different cells circulating in your blood, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. It is often included as part of a routine checkup to give your doctor a broad picture of your overall health.
The Ammonia test in Dialysis fluid measures how much ammonia is present in the fluid used during dialysis (dialysate). Ammonia is a waste product that builds up in the blood when kidneys cannot function properly. This test helps doctors determine if dialysis is effectively removing this harmful substance from your body.
This test is important because it helps your doctor screen for a wide range of conditions, such as anemia, infections, and blood clotting problems, often before you notice any symptoms. It can also be used to monitor an ongoing illness or to check how well a treatment is working over time.
When your kidneys are not working properly, ammonia can accumulate in your blood and cause serious health problems, including confusion, tremors, and in severe cases, coma. By measuring ammonia in the dialysis fluid, your healthcare team can see how much waste is being removed during each dialysis session and make sure your treatment is working effectively.
The test is done with a simple blood draw. A healthcare professional will clean your skin, place a snug band around your upper arm, and collect a small sample of blood from a vein, usually in your arm. The procedure takes only a few minutes, and you can return to your normal activities right afterward.
A small sample of dialysis fluid is collected from the dialysis machine either during or after your treatment. The sample is then sent to a laboratory where it is analyzed to measure the ammonia concentration. The procedure is painless and does not require any additional needles or blood draws from you.
Your results show whether your blood cell counts fall within the normal ranges. Low red blood cells may suggest anemia, while high white blood cells can point to infection or inflammation. Abnormal results do not always mean something serious, so your doctor will interpret them together with your symptoms and medical history before deciding on next steps.
The results show how much ammonia was removed from your blood during dialysis. Higher levels of ammonia in the dialysis fluid generally indicate that more waste is being effectively removed from your body. Your doctor will compare these results with previous tests and your overall health condition to determine if any adjustments to your treatment are needed.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
This test is primarily used to assess the effectiveness of dialysis treatment in removing ammonia, a toxic waste product. It helps healthcare providers monitor whether the dialysis dose is adequate and detect any problems with the dialysis system. Abnormal results may indicate the need to adjust dialysis parameters, check for issues with the dialysis membrane, or modify the treatment plan. Regular monitoring of ammonia removal is especially important for patients with severe kidney failure who are dependent on dialysis for waste removal.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to fast before this test?
How often is this test performed?
Is this test painful?
What happens if my results are abnormal?
Can I feel if my ammonia levels are too high?
Sources
- 1
- 2Mayo Clinic - DialysisSource
- 3
Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 17, 2026. · Read our editorial policy