I have cirrhosis of the liver and quit drinking 10 months ago. My stomach is real bloated and looks like I am pregnant. My dr. prescribed me lasix. Tomorrow I have to do some blood work to check my ammonia level. What would cause the ammonia? He did not explain some things that I have questions about
Hello, Ammonia is the end product of the metabolism of nitrogen-containing compounds, is neurotoxic at elevated concentrations. Normally liver clears almost all the ammonia by converting it into glut amine and urea preventing entry into the systemic circulation. In advance liver disease or cirrhosis, the level of blood ammonia increases due to impaired liver function and shunting of blood around the liver. In addition, muscle wasting may increase ammonia level since muscle is also an important site for ammonia removal. So, when the liver is damaged, excess of ammonia can build up in the bloodstream and affect the function of the nervous system resulting in hepatic encephalopathy. So, excess of ammonia enters into systemic (blood) circulation causing The excess level of ammonia can be reduced by giving laxative (Lactulose) to prevent bacteria in the intestines from creating ammonia and by certain antibiotics such as Aureomycin or Rifaximin which kill the bacteria which produce ammonia in the gut. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.