Question 1

ammonia 107 *on a ventilator 65 %* cirrhosis day 14 in hospital *7 - icu now is had her 2nd paracentesis , unresponsive ammonia level is high- will not come how long before this makes it way to her brain. is this toxic to the body*ammonia?

Accepted Answer

: Yes, ammonia is causing encephalopathy or brain damage and is due to liver failure and while hoping for the best it is time to prepare for the worst. Talk to the medical team what would be next and what are the expectations for functional recovery.

Question 2

i was told today by a pharmacist that two of the anticonvulsants i have been taking for 20 years can interact with each other and cause excess buildup of ammonia and potential brain swelling. i take dilantin, depakote, and topomax. thank you?

Accepted Answer

: Needs to be put into perspective.  Both Dilantin, and Depakote, could theoretically cause liver damage (rather uncommon event) and this could result in high ammonia.  Not clear to me, if you truly require 3 anti-epileptic drugs, and you might consider modification.  Talk to your neurologist about your future medication usage, as this depends upon seizure frequency, co-morbidities, etc.

Question 3

after brain stroke recovery in hospital suddenly ammonia 99, encephalopathy, unconcious,breathing on own, feeding thrgh tube, 3 days now , not conciou?

Accepted Answer

Encephalopathy: The stroke, may be more extensive than initially seen. Brain swelling which compresses on the brain stem may result in the inability to breath, swallow on his own. Once the other body systems begins to fail such as the lovey and kidneys then you can see poor excretion of metabolic by products as Ammonia build up.

Question 4

what can help my dad if he has a high level level of ammonia in blood?

Accepted Answer

Lactulose and diet: Elevated blood ammonia is most commonly seen in patients with chronic liver disease.  Ammonia is a breakdown product of protein metabolism. A low protein diet may help. Lactulose is essentially a laxative medication which is used to decrease blood ammonia levels.

Question 5

labs for liver ammonia says 76. high end of normal is 32. husband hasn't taken lacutulose or other medicine for a month. seems ok. is this ok?

Accepted Answer

No: The ammonia level is worrisome and he should resume daily lactulose and avoid high meat and high protein intake and completely abstain from alcohol. Somnolence would be an ominous sign of impending liver coma. I assume that a hepatologist or gastroenterologist is following him and his liver status closely.

Question 6

blood ammonia level was 38 is this a little high?

Accepted Answer

Does not: Sound like it but it depends on you lab normals

Question 7

what are ways for a girl to tell if her ammonia level is high?

Accepted Answer

Clinically she would: Have altered mentation. You may also order blood work for ammonia level and get the actual number.

Question 8

ammonia level 41 a little elevated gave me lactulose 15ml twice a day hoe long should it take to lower them since there bout that high?

Accepted Answer

Need more info: It all depends on your body functions. I think it would be a good idea to ask the physician who prescribed the lactulose.

Question 9

can mono cause ammonia levels in your liver to be high?

Accepted Answer

Ammonia levels/mono: In very rare cases, mono can lead to liver failure with elevated ammonia levels.
That is why the liver tests are often monitored in the course of mono in selected individuals.

Question 10

i have high ammonia possible with normal liver function tests?

Accepted Answer

Yes.  It's possible.: End Stage Liver failure (Cirrhosis) can present with normal liver function tests, and presents with high ammonia.  Ammonia results from breakdown of proteins, this ammonia is converted to urea by the liver.  Sick liver cannot convert ammonia efficiently, but if there is too much ammonia (high protein breakdown) healthy liver will take longer to convert ammonia to urea.  See your doctor about it.

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Doctor answers about:

High ammonia brain

A member asked:

Ammonia 107 *on a ventilator 65 %* cirrhosis day 14 in hospital *7 - icu now is had her 2nd paracentesis , unresponsive ammonia level is high- will not come how long before this makes it way to her brain. is this toxic to the body*ammonia?

A member asked:

I was told today by a pharmacist that two of the anticonvulsants i have been taking for 20 years can interact with each other and cause excess buildup of ammonia and potential brain swelling. i take dilantin, depakote, and topomax. thank you?

A member asked:

After brain stroke recovery in hospital suddenly ammonia 99, encephalopathy, unconcious,breathing on own, feeding thrgh tube, 3 days now , not conciou?

A member asked:

What can help my dad if he has a high level level of ammonia in blood?

A member asked:

Labs for liver ammonia says 76. high end of normal is 32. husband hasn't taken lacutulose or other medicine for a month. seems ok. is this ok?

A member asked:

Blood ammonia level was 38 is this a little high?

A member asked:

What are ways for a girl to tell if her ammonia level is high?

A member asked:

Ammonia level 41 a little elevated gave me lactulose 15ml twice a day hoe long should it take to lower them since there bout that high?

A member asked:

Can mono cause ammonia levels in your liver to be high?

A member asked:

I have high ammonia possible with normal liver function tests?

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Questions?

Ammonia 107 on a ventilator 65 % cirrhosis day 14 in hospital 7 - icu now is had her 2nd paracentesis , unresponsive ammonia level is high- will not come how long before this makes it way to her brain. is this toxic to the bodyammonia?