Yes—there are 2 tests to measure ammonia in your body: an ammonia test and a glutamine test. These tests can only be done by a doctor in his or her office. Like ammonia, glutamine is a toxin that can build up in your body when you have a UCD.
Because ammonia levels go up and down throughout the day, an ammonia test will only measure the amount of ammonia in your body at the time of the test. But a glutamine test shows how much ammonia has built up in your body over a period of time, so it can give you and your doctor a fuller picture of how well your ammonia is controlled. It’s a good idea to talk to your doctor about your ammonia level and your glutamine level.