High ammonia levels in blood
Common Questions and Answers about High ammonia levels in blood
ammonia
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.
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.
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.
My mother has cirrohsis and has ascites and is struggling with high ammonia levels. She is being treated with lactolose and for now it is bringing her levels down. She reached 102 a few days ago and the lactolose has returned her level to 54. I am trying to find out how how and ammonia level can go before it is considered toxic and will cause her to go into a coma? I am also wondering in advanced cirrohsis will the lactolose eventually be uneffective in bringing down the ammonia levels?
If your father has been in the hospital for 3 weeks with liver failure and his ammonia is still this high, it sounds pretty grim to me. Of course, I'm basing this on very limited information, and your father's doctors have the whole picture in front of them, so again, talk to them. Ask them point blank, "do you think my father is about to die?'
As stated above, high ammonia levels cause "encephalopathy", extreme lethary and confusion.
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?
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.
Prior to my transplant in 2001 my ammonia levels were very high and I had very bad encephalopathy. I wasn't allowed to be left aloe because of the danger I could hurt myself, try to cook and burn the house down, etc. And of course no driving. My grown children had to come and babysit for me when my husband couldn't be at home to watch me. It was much like having dementia. My reason for postig is that I hope your mother is not left aloe with such high ammonia levels.
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.
I have been diagnosis with severe NASH and also HE. My liver biopsy showed no cirrhosis but did show fibrosis. I have had blood test that showed high ammonia levels. I have times were I don't seem to know where I am at. I have had times were I get very dizzy and will fall. There are times when I can't remember my kids name. There are also times when I can't remember how to write certain numbers. I also have bouts of anxiety and will start fussing and cussing for no real reason.
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.
Urine is high in nitrates, compounds high in nitrogen and oxygen. Ammonia is made up of nitrogen and hydrogen. (NH3) What you are smelling is the high concentration of bonded nitrogen.
Normally, diluted urine doesn't have much odor. If you're dehydrated and your urine becomes highly concentrated, it can have a strong ammonia smell.
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