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What tests determine the need for a liver transplant?
My ammonia level was 902 last week and my liver enzymes were quadruple normal as was my GGT. I have stopped drinking some time ago. My bilirubin was normal yet I have typical liver failure symptoms such as GI problems, upper right quadrant pain, sleeplessness, etc. Is there a way to reverse this? Drinking alcohol is not an issue at all any longer. I would appreciate your help. Thanks.
I don't now that there is one certain test. Once you are on the liver transplant list they go by what is called a MELD score to where you would be in line next. When I was told I had end stage cirrohosis I had protal hyper tension and was having my esophogus banded. I also have acties and edema which are to major symptoms of cirrhosis progressed. Some have these symptoms at stage 4 liver damage. The amonia level is another symptom. It is what causes hepatic encephalopathy (confusion, deteriation of the brain). The normal level for amonia is
Normal levels are from 0 to 40 micromol/L.
If you can have a liver biopsy that will tell you what stage of liver damage you have. They wouldn't do one on me because it was to dangerous because of bleeding. I did have a CT Scan to rule out cancer and they could see the rough edges on the liver that should be smooth.
You may have stopped drinking which is great. If the damage is so bad it is irreversable then eventually you will need a liver transplant.
Normal concentrations of ammonia do not rule out hepatic encephalopathy. Other wastes can contribute to changes in mental function and consciousness, and brain levels of ammonia may be much higher than blood levels. This can make correlation of patient symptoms to ammonia blood levels difficult.
Not drinking and a good diet for the liver will help with many symptoms. I stopped drinking completely over a year ago and the last few endoscopies I haven't needed banding. I hope this is helpful and good luck.
Normal levels are from 0 to 40 micromol/L.
If you can have a liver biopsy that will tell you what stage of liver damage you have. They wouldn't do one on me because it was to dangerous because of bleeding. I did have a CT Scan to rule out cancer and they could see the rough edges on the liver that should be smooth.
You may have stopped drinking which is great. If the damage is so bad it is irreversable then eventually you will need a liver transplant.
Normal concentrations of ammonia do not rule out hepatic encephalopathy. Other wastes can contribute to changes in mental function and consciousness, and brain levels of ammonia may be much higher than blood levels. This can make correlation of patient symptoms to ammonia blood levels difficult.
Not drinking and a good diet for the liver will help with many symptoms. I stopped drinking completely over a year ago and the last few endoscopies I haven't needed banding. I hope this is helpful and good luck.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
the liver can sometimes make dramatic improvements with continued sobriety. please followup with a gastroenterologist.
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