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Gastroenterology (Expert Forum)
Are these signs of liver problems?
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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Are these signs of liver problems?
by sportsco, Oct 30, 2003 12:00AM
32 yr old male diagnosed with Prostatitis(last month due to burning sperm) and Acid reflux problems in the past(took prevacid for 8 months. OCD/HIGH ANXIETY has been a problem regarding health as well.
Dull pain on right side under ribs on occasions. Seems to go away with belching or gas release. Feet sometimes get cold. Lower back is sore all the time. Stool is very inconsistent, sometimes light with grains, sometimes slight green tint, one day last week it looked yellow, seemingly wet and soft looking. Hasn't been dark for a few weeks.
Mornings I go right upon waking and 2-3 times right after that. Noticed transit time of spinach eaten was only about 6 hours.
Been to Gastro specialist, Urologist and Internal specialist.
Endoscopy last October - normal
Abdominal Ultrasound last October - normal
CT scan (abdomen/pelvic) in May - normal besides enlarged protate
Blood work Sept 1st - ALT 14
AST 12
BILI Total - .8
BILI Direct - .1
Albumin - 4.7
BUN 6 (Low)
Neutrophils 77.1 (High)
Spinal fluids (due to bad headache) Sept 1st - Protein 21
Glucose 71 (High)
Went to my Gastro Dr. last week asking him about my liver. He felt it and looked at the blood work, said he couldn't even find it, saying "your liver is fine". Said worry about stool color when its gray and your eyes are yellow etc..."see you in 6 months"
Went to my Internist last week and told him about my liver and he said, "Your liver is fine." "I think you have OCD and stress is causing your stool problems. "You need Prozac and something for high anxiety."
My concern is driving me realy crazy. The Urologist wants me to take Cipro for the Prostatitis and all three Dr's say your fine, take the Cipro. I have been medicated my whole life(for acne, reflux, etc...) and had a friend diagnosed with a liver disease which has sent me off on this crazy tangent.
I feel ok physically most the time, but when I get worked up I get the sore shoulders/neck and become an anxious mess.
Are these signs of liver problems?
Thanks
Doctor's Answer
by Kevin Pho, MD, Oct 30, 2003 12:00AM
, Oct 30, 2003 12:00AM
Based on your normal liver function tests and normal ultrasound, it is highly unlikely that anything is wrong with the liver. The most comprehensive test would be a liver biopsy, but there would be no doctor that would perform that with normal liver function tests.
Regarding the right upper quadrant pain, you may want to consider a HIDA scan with CCK stimulation. This can evaluate low gall bladder ejection fraction which can also cause abdominal pain in the region you are describing.
If the tests are negative, you may want to consider irritable bowel syndrome and talk to your gastroenterologist for optimal management.
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.
Regarding the right upper quadrant pain, you may want to consider a HIDA scan with CCK stimulation. This can evaluate low gall bladder ejection fraction which can also cause abdominal pain in the region you are describing.
If the tests are negative, you may want to consider irritable bowel syndrome and talk to your gastroenterologist for optimal management.
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.
I also had H Pylori test done which came out negative.
Thanks