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Along with the pneumonia some tests came back that look pretty serious.. I forgot to mention....(my brain is out to lunch) A's ammonia levels in his blood are very high. His liver is not functioning correctly and ammonia backs up in to his kidney. I don't know exactly what an SGOT test stands for, but the levels are supposed to be around 15-45, his are 176. He's a very sick man :(
I googled the following information:
An ammonia test measures the amount of ammonia in the blood. Ammonia results from the breakdown of protein in the body. Most ammonia in the body forms when protein is broken down by bacteria in the intestinal tract. The liver normally converts ammonia into urea, which is then eliminated in urine.
Ammonia levels rise in the blood when the liver is unable to convert ammonia to urea. This may occur because of cirrhosis or severe hepatitis. When excess amounts of ammonia build up in the blood, symptoms of abnormal brain function (encephalopathy), such as unclear thinking, extreme sleepiness, a characteristic hand tremor (asterixis), or coma may develop.
Ammonia Adults: 15–45 micrograms per deciliter (µg/dL)
Greater-than-normal values High levels of ammonia in the blood may indicate serious liver disease, such as cirrhosis or severe hepatitis, Reye's syndrome, severe heart disease, or kidney failure. Ammonia levels may be elevated in chronic liver disease.
*sigh....we'll be ok ODAT, ODAT, ODAT
love you all Christy
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If we think that miracles are normal, we will expect them. And expecting a miracle is the surest way to get one.
My A has the same thing due to cirrhosis. Doctors give him Lactolose (it is actually a laxative) and it lowers the ammonia levels. I can tell when As levels are up without a test because he becomes confused and has short term memory loss. A had been doing good (more sobriety than drinking) up until about six months ago (now more drinking than sobriety). He sees the doctor again beginning of March. Will be interesting to see blood test results. Dr. said most telling thing to watch as far as how liver is functioning is the albumen level. During the period he had been staying away from the alcohol his albumin level as well as other indicators had actually improved. I am sure it won't be looking so good this trip. Nothing I can do about it though.
