ammonia levels in humans

High concentrations are really dangerous, but low concentrations could be tolerated by other humans. You can have a blood test to check the levels of ammonia in your blood, but I’ve not got round to investigating it yet. I’m convinced it’s a gas or a toxin linked to one of our bio-chemical body reactions. One day it will all make sense.

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?

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.

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.

While elevated ammonia levels are seen in cirrhotic patients there can be encephalopathy with normal ammonia levels and there can also be no mental impairment in some patients with elevated ammonia levels. Basically, ammonia levels are of limited use for diagnosing cirrhosis or hepatic impairment. I would also think some other results of your blood work would have been out of range if you are cirrhotic or are suffering significant liver impairment.

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.

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.

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?

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I have a question, my mother passed away a couple of days ago and all I can think of was her last days at the hospital, my question is, when a person that is awaiting a liver transplant and has many other problems that are going bad and her ammonia levels keeps rising and out of a sudden they can't respond back to any questions, can they understand what you are saying to them?

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?

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?

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.

For example, a person with severe cirrhosis may have only slightly elevated blood ammonia levels and yet may not be thinking clearly or may be sleepy or in a coma. Other people with very high ammonia levels may think and act normally.

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.

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.

Yes ammonia levels can change. But not like in diabetics and sugar. It is not really called dementia it is called hepatic encephalopathy. Is he taking Lactulose? This can help reduce episodes of HE by reducing ammonia levels. Is he eligible for a liver transplant and willing to undergo the procedure?

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.

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.

Like OrphanedHawk, I have been in and out of the hospital with high ammonia levels, this has been extremely difficult for my husband, because in my confused and disoriented state I had refused to go to the hospital and sometimes it would take him up to 15 hours just to get me to the hospital. This isn't just about you, yes it is you going through this but try to remember that your family members or the people that is taking care of you are also going through all of this with you.

//www.medhelp.

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?

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.

They finally diagnosed him yesterday with high ammonia levels. All other tests are clear liver etc are fine. He had been suffering with urine problems and constipation for a few months before this started. My question is how long before he comes back to normal as he still is hallucinating, has no memory, acts very childlike and generally disturbed ( hes usually perfectly healthy other than epilepsy which is controlled with medication.

Ammonia levels in humans

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