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Gastroenterology (Expert Forum)
could it be my gallbladder?
Answered by
Kevin Pho, MD - Internal Medicine
Kevin, M.D.
Boston - MA
This forum is for questions regarding Gastroenterology issues such as Acid Reflux (GERD), Barretts Esophagus, Colitis, Colon/Bowel Disorders, Crohn's Disease, Diverticulitis/ Diverticulosis, Digestive Disorders, IBS, Stomach Pain.
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could it be my gallbladder?
by bullbofa, Oct 17, 2003 12:00AM
I have had elevated liver enzymes for going on 3 years my ast,alt ggt,alkaline phos. The ast and alt have been the higher ones my last blood test was alt 225. The enzymes have only been normal 2 times in 3 years. I sometimes have these attacks where i have upper stomache pain but it does not localize to the right upper quad. Sometimes it does hurt there but most of the time it is in my mid back in my spine. Sometimes it travels . They have checked me several times for gallstones nothing would show up i even had a hid-a-scan turned out perfect. Jan. of 2003 they did another ultrasound found 1 stone on the bottom of my gallbladder but i was not having any symptoms. about 4 weeks ago i had an episode where i had the pain as explained earlier went to the doctor i had a low grade fever and elevated white cell count. When he suggested it could be my gallbladder he pushed around my stomache but it did not hurt in the upper right side. Went for ultrasound they found the same stone that they found in jan. still in the same place no inflammation of the gallbladder everything looked fine. I have had every test you can imagine. But the episode lasted 10 days with fever and pain.Can a gallbladder attack last that long? What is your take on this?
Doctor's Answer
by Kevin Pho, MD, Oct 20, 2003 12:00AM
, Oct 20, 2003 12:00AM
Surgeon has kindly addressed your question in his comments below and I agree with his assessment.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Thanks,
Kevin, M.D.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Thanks,
Kevin, M.D.
Member Comments (1)
by surgeon, Oct 17, 2003 12:00AM
I'd be highly suspicious of your gallbladder. Whereas your pain pattern isn't "textbook," the fact that it's in your stomach and felt in your back is very suggestive. Likewise, with abnormal LFT's and a gallstone, unless they have another explanation for your liver tests, it seems likely due to the stone. You could also have one in the main bile duct, which can be hard to detect on ultrasound in many cases. Before seeing a surgeon, you might consider a visit to a gastroenterologist. But unless someone finds a better explanation, I'd bet removing the gallbladder would do the trick. It's very hard to correlated symptoms with findings on ultrasound; in other words, if there are stones, it's of significance, whether or not signs of inflammation are seen at the time of the test.
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