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Ammonia

We discovered that my husband had an episode of Encephalopathy, which is high ammonia in the blood.
But by the time we had his blood checked his levels were right smack in the middle of the range.  Doctor said he was fine.  So my question is can this ammonia gone untreated continue to rise and lower on its own.  Because he has days that he seems fine and then days when he is not with me completely.  He does not eat much as his taste buds are totally out of wack.  Most foods taste very salty.And of course he does sleep alot.
I would appreaciate anyones experience with this ammonia attack,  I am very concerned gone untreated I may loose him sooner than later
thanks
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683231 tn?1467323017
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?
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Avatar universal
Thank you, No the doctor claimed that his ammonia level was fine.  It was at 15.  Which according to the levels it sat right in the middle of the chart.  I will definetly pick up the supplements you listed.  He use to take Milk thistle lat the onset of his Hep c.  But eventually stopped.  Wasn'tsure if it was doing him anygood.  I am not sure what Selenium is.  Does it come in pill form and will I find it with all the other supplents?
This Gaug Journal you ,mentioned is it on this site?  I am new to the site so I am not familiar with all this site has to offer
thanks
OT
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2 Comments
Hi. My dad has a level of 89 i think that high. They say its within range 17 to 102. But he has good and bad days. Does ammonia go up down like surgar for diabetes? Need to know plz. Asap. I don't want him gettingg worse. Doc says he has beginning of dementia. Ty
Hi this is a 10 year old post you should start your own question.

Avatar universal
Didn't your Doctor give him Lactulose?  This is a syrup like substance that you swallow and it clears the ammonia out.  There are certain foods which cause more ammonia problems than others.  Eating lots of meat isn't a good idea.  Surely the Doctor gave you some of this information.  If he didn't, you need a different Doctor quick.
I'm sorry you are going through this.  My husband has cirrhosis and we cleaned up his diet, took milk thistle vitamin E, selenium, alpha lipoic acid, and a B complex vitamin and he started to get better.  Lactulose causes diarrhea but once the ammonia is cleared out , you find a reasonable maintenance dose.  
We have treated the virus twice unsuccessfully and are trying a 3rd time.  Before treating this last time, my husband took lots of supplements suggested here by a hepatitis researcher.  They are expensive, and it's a lot of pills to swallow, but it made a big difference.  They are listed in  Gauf's  journal as HR's liver lovin supplements.
I wish you both the best.
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