Low Blood Ammonia Levels
Hyperammonemia is a condition where blood levels are abnormally high. It can result from a number of things. Numerous studies suggest that hyperammonemia is often caused by a genetic disorder called urea-cycle disorder (UCD). (Gathungu and colleagues, 2016; Schuetz and colleagues, 2021). UCD is an inherited defect of the urea cycle, which is the body’s natural process of breaking down ammonia. This disorder causes the body to have a difficult time processing ammonia and leads to increased levels in the bloodstream. UCD is not the only factor that can cause hyperammonemia. High levels of ammonia can result from liver failure or kidney disease. Some cases can be caused by infections or metabolic disorders. To treat hyperammonemia it’s important to find the root cause. The treatment options include diet changes and medications as well as supplemental therapies. Cont….