cirrhosis......ammonia??????

[melgrek]

Good Morning...........my dad was diagnosed w/ cirrhosis he was in ICU amm. level was @ 79. One month later, he is being released from a rehab hospital w/ a level of 87. Should he be going back to the hospital? Is that an increase that should be alarming? I know 79 is very high.......how will this be affecting the brain? Thank you for any advice.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

Unfortunately, there is no cure for cirrhosis, and his ammonia level may be chronically high. He may be discharged without a normal ammonia level if he's relatively asymtomatic.

I would watch his symtoms, especially for signs of hepatic encephalopathy, etc. (confusion, lethargy, etc.)

He should hopefully be on a lactulose to help it become lower and have lab tests to check it soon. That is quite a high level and definate cause for concern on your part.

[melgrek]

Good Morning...........my dad was diagnosed w/ cirrhosis he was in ICU amm. level was @ 79. One month later, he is being released from a rehab hospital w/ a level of 87. Should he be going back to the hospital? Is that an increase that should be alarming? I know 79 is very high.......how will this be affecting the brain? Thank you for any advice.

Thank you for replying Tweety. Yes he has been on lactulose. He goes back to the dr. in one month, so I assume another ammonia test will be done.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

You're welcome and best wishes.