Ammonia levels in blood

Common Questions and Answers about Ammonia levels in blood

ammonia

Avatar n tn I AM DIAGNOSED WITH END STAGE LIVER DISEASE AS A RESULT OF ALCOHOL ABUSE. THIS IS THE INFO I HAVE BEEN GIVEN CONCERNING AMMONIA LEVELS. NORMAL IS 80 AND UNDER. MY AMMONIA HAS BECOME ELEVATED AS HIGH AS 800. WHEN MY AMMONIA BECOMES ELEVATED, ENCEPHALOPATHY SETS IN. THIS CAUSES ME TO BECOME CONFUSED, DISORIENTED, AND UNSTEADY ON MY FEET. THIS IS USUALLY THE POINT WHERE I END UP IN THE HOSPITAL.
412873 tn?1329174455 Does anyone know the name for the condition that leads to elevated ammonia levels in the blood? I think it happens when the liver is less able to remove toxins from the blood and can lead to confusion and other symptoms. Thanks for any input.
Avatar f tn If the liver is decompromised it cannot metabolize the waste products hence there is an elevation of blood ammonia levels resulting in increased excretion in the urine. Also, increased levels of ammonia may also be seen with gastrointestinal bleeding, where the blood cells are haemolysed in the intestines, releasing protein. Please discuss this with your doctor am sure he will provide further assistance. Hope this helped and do keep us posted.
Avatar m tn An ammonia test measures the amount of ammonia in the blood. Most ammonia in the body forms when protein is broken down by bacteria in the intestines. The liver normally converts ammonia into urea, which is then eliminated in urine. Ammonia levels in the blood rise when the liver is not able to convert ammonia to urea. This may be caused by cirrhosis or severe hepatitis. Since you are on this forum I assume you have hep c? Are you experiencing the effects of toxic buildup in your blood?
Avatar m tn If the liver is unable to effectively metabolize the ammonia, the levels rise in the blood. Could you be eating too much protein??? What s your typical food during a day? Are you getting your protein from vegetable sources or chicken and fish? You are not eating any red meat, correct? Higher than norm ammonia levels are usually due to a problem with protein being broken down in the small intestines. It is then process by the liver and eliminated through the kidneys in your urine.
Avatar f tn Anyone have elevated ammonia levels? Are you having any symptoms and at what level did your symptoms start? I just had my first ammonia screening done and the level came back 119, with less than 47 being the reference range. I'm not having any symptoms. This seems to be the story of my life. All of my labs are going whacky and I'm still feeling fine. I'm afraid one of these days it's all going to hit and I'll be a mess.
Avatar f tn If she had internal bleeding, could she have been saved, everything was going bad, ammonia levels really high, blood pressure up and down, liver bad, diabetis and had just gotten out of coma?
190885 tn?1333025891 The liver normally converts ammonia into urea, which is then eliminated in urine. Ammonia levels in the blood rise when the liver is not able to convert ammonia to urea. This may be caused by cirrhosis or severe hepatitis. Take enough lactulose to have 3-4 bowel movements per day and your ammonia level will drop and you will feel better. Normal is 15-60 mcg/dL. It usually that a day or a couple of days for the ammonia levels to drop. I am not sure of your health status.
Avatar f tn Hi Jugs— I’m sorry to hear about you uncle’s condition; I hope he recovers soon. Ammonia levels only require monitoring in the presence of decompensated cirrhosis; only about 5% of Hep C patients will progress to this point. It is not required to check plasma ammonia testing in the vast majority of HCV patients. Out of curiosity, what inspired you to discuss this with the medical staff in the first place?
Avatar n tn Patients with liver disease are unable to process or detoxify ammonia so that ammonia levels can reach dangerously high levels. This is coupled by increased ammonia production of colonic bacteria, especially if one is constipated or has an irregular bowel movement. High protein intake can also lead to an incresed ammonia production. I suggest you talk about these possibilities with your doctors.
1475202 tn?1536270977 Since not all persons with cirrhosis are affected by elevated ammonia levels what’s the point in the test? Some persons are greatly affected with slightly elevated ammonia levels while others with experience no symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy with high ammonia levels or vice versa. Seeming that the test is irrelevant or at least this is the way of thinking by my hepatologist during my most recent visit to the transplant center in my area. So why do we even talk about it?
Avatar n tn Yes it does. High levels of ammonia cause hepatic encephalopathy which in turn can cause confusion, sleepiness and forgetfulness. There are medications to help lower those levels. Speak to your hep doc.
Avatar m tn Ammonia level</a>.
Avatar n tn This is the Hep C Forum. While we talk about high ammonia levels, it is in conjunction with Hep C and the liver problems from there. yOu might want to make sure the Dr did a Hep C Antibody these to make sure she doesn't have it then go to the list of Communities ( touch Communities at the top of the thread) and find the health and wellness site for more assistance. Good luck and Blessings to you both.
1481758 tn?1287638643 I think the majority of ammonia in the blood comes from bacteria in the intestines which break down foods we are unable to, or the left overs. The ammonia should be converted by the Liver into Urea. So, I assume the problem would be to do with Liver function.
Avatar n tn Some people with Stage 4 (cirrhosis) can develop excess accumulation of ammonia due to compromised liver function, which can in turn cause confusion and disorientation. Damage to the liver caused by hep c can lead to too much ammonia in the blood which then affects the brain, a condition called encephalopathy.
Avatar f tn I am also wondering in advanced cirrohsis will the lactolose eventually be uneffective in bringing down the ammonia levels? My final question is what kind of life expectancy is there when the cirrohsis reaches the level that she is at?
1008841 tn?1293598960 The blood test for ammonia is AFP or alpha fet protein test. It measures the level of ammonia in your blood. When it is high it is not much fun. The explaination in Hector SF's post is so accurate. The first indication for me that it is high is that my hands shake and I can't write and it's hard to hold fork or spoon. I also get confused easily and can't sort things out. Sometimes I think I'm okay - until I get it in control again and look back.
Avatar n tn My father is a Cirrhosis and Hep C patient, was diagnosed about 4 years ago, he's been doing good for the past few years, been in and out the hospital here and there. The last 3 weeks he's been in the hospital constantly due to his liver failure. He's in the hospital now, with ammonia levels at 400 and sodium levels really low. What are the consequences of this, and what can happen to him? What are the treatments they can give him to help him?
1481758 tn?1287638643 My question is, is it common for meds that can dehydrate you (e.g diuretics, antihistamines etc in combo) to contribute to elevated ammonia levels? Esp if not historically drinking enough H20 and too much diet coke? Also take 20mg zolpidem and 1mg clonazepam ea nite and zyrtech 10mg every night and sometimes supplement w/benedryl 50mg if allergies and/sleep issues.
Avatar m tn I've got some unconfirmed alcoholic liver disease but I've noticed you guys in the hep-c forum really seem to know your stuff. I'm currently half way through a slow alcohol detox (weaning down/one month) and have developed a funny transient smell in my nose that also comes out in upper body sweat (not underarm/groin). Sometimes it is so strong it even burns my nose a bit, and others can smell it on my breath when I work closely with them.