amonia and sodium levels

[teri7]

My husband has hepc and supposidly the beginning  of cirrohis.after 2 treatments his amonia level was high and platlets low so they stopped treatment and put him on a med to cause diareha which he already has and lots of fluids,which all he is having is ensure and water.then    the next day called and said his sodium was low two cut his fluids to 1 and half liters.When i asked why,and that he is suppose to eat salt free,what about dehydration i was told it was too complicated to explain they would see us in a wk.help me understand,teri

[orphanedhawk]

I have cirrhosis. One side effect is called ascites. Its when your abdomen fills with fluid. The easiest way to prevent this is by eating a saltless ( or close) diet. Once ascites has set in, diuretics often are used to reduce the fluid.
   Another problem from cirrhosis is encephalopathy. Essentially, too much ammonia accumulates in the body causing brain fog. The medicine , lactulose, that helps clear the ammonia out, causes diarrhea.  If he is having more than 3 bowel movements daily, he should reduce the amount of lactulose he's taking.Your husband's doctor should have explained these things to him.
    I don't understand why he was removed from tx because of cirrhosis related problems. I would suggest seeing another heptologist, if I were you.

[wyntre9]

teri,

good luck with your husband's TX.

OH,

You've mentioned ammonia before and said it can cause brain fog.  I looked for it on my labs but can't find it.  

Is it ever reported under a different name?

Is it done with regular CBC's?

Do I have to ask for a special ammonia test?

Wyn

[domusic]

In my reports, Amonia is on the line called NH3.

DoMusic

[orphanedhawk]

If you don't have cirrhosis, then you don't need to be concerned about your ammonia levels. To tell if someone has encephalopathy, a side effect of cirrhosis, they take an ammonia test.  Just more blood to look at. They aren't included on regular CBCs.
   You don't have cirrhosis do you?
   BTW: The wind was so strong today the vultures were thrown backwards during flight. The hawks weren't anywhere to be seen. Probably staying still in some tree.

[wyntre9]

thanks both.

No, I don't have cirrhosis.

Still I'm gonna see if there's an NH3 on my labs.

Hawke,

It would be great if you could videotape some of these scenes.

[wyntre9]

Just to let you know they went through.

How ya doing?

[grambojean]

my 49  year old son has high amonia levels (admitted to hosp last wk w/238 and discharged 2 days later w/143.  Weaning him off depakote and trying to get xifaxin (need prior approval).  Taking lactolose, still not having 3 BMs daily.  None today -- little  yesterday.  How quickly does th e amonia level rise?  Am I being paranoid thinking it could already be high again, just 4 days after discharge from hospital?  Dr seems to think amonia level draw is not warranted at t his time.  Anyone??  Grambojean @Yahoo.Com

[scarednow522]

My husband has cirrhosis and he is very tired all the time all he wants to do is sleep. He is always exhausted is that a syptom? His eyes are real yellow and he is looking terrible. He was always drinking but now he has stopped I fear it is too late for him. The doctor is sending him for an MRI he didn't say very much when he got home from the doctor he didn't want me to go with him. How do I deal with this ? I am really afraid that he will be very sick very soon. What can I do to help him?