05-16-2017, 09:19 PM
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#1 | | Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 11
| Elevated liver enzymes, RUQ pain
I will try to keep this short. I'm a 38 year old male. I've been having moderate right upper quadrant pain on and off for several months now, especially after eating. I had an ultrasound done, which only showed a 5 mm polyp on the gallbladder. I also had a HIDA scan which was 88%. This was called "hyperdynamic" gallbladder, but my doctors didn't think that really meant anything, they called it normal. In December on my yearly physical bloodwork, my ALT level surprisingly showed 122 (high) when it's usually in the 20's or 30's. It eventually fell back down to 34 six weeks later, but has now jumped back to 100 yesterday on a retest for no apparent reason. I'm thinking this is my gallbladder. My GP doc said usually if it's the gallbladder, the ALP level is also elevated, but mine has been normal every time. I've also had basically every liver disease blood test done, plus the ultrasound, and all have come out normal other than the ALT elevation. I also had an endoscopy which was negative. I'm not sure what else it could be beside the gallbladder at this point. I had one surgeon say he would take it out based on the polyp on ultrasound, which he says often turn out to be stones instead. I'm thinking about just biting the bullet and getting it removed. The pain is really starting to bother me. Anyone have any thoughts, especially with the odd liver enzyme tests?
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05-17-2017, 03:47 AM
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#2 | | Facilitator (female)
Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Birmingham, AL
Posts: 18,775
| Re: Elevated liver enzymes, RUQ pain
the polyp can become cancerous. Have the gb out. Why they are procastinating about this is crazy! You have all the signs of gb disease. The only thing of mine that waselevated was billirubin. It went back down after removal.
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05-17-2017, 07:57 PM
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#3 | | Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 11
| Re: Elevated liver enzymes, RUQ pain Quote:
Originally Posted by Titchou the polyp can become cancerous. Have the gb out. Why they are procastinating about this is crazy! You have all the signs of gb disease. The only thing of mine that waselevated was billirubin. It went back down after removal. | Well, the doctors are telling me that they don't usually get concerned about polyps until they get to at least 10mm in size, then the gallbladder would need to be removed. I'm supposed to get an ultrasound every year to keep an eye on it. I've seen 3 surgeons, 2 GI docs, and my GP. Of the 6, only 1 said that I needed surgery. And he basically said it was up to me, I didn't have to have it if I didn't want to. It's pretty crazy, I feel all signs point to the gallbladder too, but nobody seems very convinced. The main reason I haven't gone through with it is the uncertainty of the docs, and the 5% or so chance I will be one of those unlucky people with chronic digestive problems after gallbladder removal. Anyone else have specific liver enzyme abnormalities that normalized after gallbladder removal?
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05-18-2017, 04:14 AM
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#4 | | Senior Veteran (female)
Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: USA
Posts: 11,160
| Re: Elevated liver enzymes, RUQ pain
Just curious, but which one of the doctors pointed you to surgery?
Personally, I just went through this. I would definately get the Gb removed. They cannot know what they will find until they open you up. My Gb was not bothering me, but showed sludge and thickening on the ultrasound and CT.
When they opened me up, I was necrotic and all the tissue was dying...I was well on my way to a rupture and gangrene. Had they not removed it when they did, I was in for major problems and allot bigger surgery!
Since having it removed, I am having typical problems with bloating and some gas pains and am still unable to eat certain foods, but it's only been 3 weeks. Each day it gets better!
I wouldnt screw around. I would push to have it out. You really have nothing to lose...its an extremely common surgery and honestly, there is probably more going on than you (or they) are aware of. Ask to have an exploratory at the same time. I did, and its what saved me from a whole lot of problems!
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05-18-2017, 05:32 PM
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#5 | | Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 11
| Re: Elevated liver enzymes, RUQ pain Quote:
Originally Posted by MSNik Just curious, but which one of the doctors pointed you to surgery?
Personally, I just went through this. I would definately get the Gb removed. They cannot know what they will find until they open you up. My Gb was not bothering me, but showed sludge and thickening on the ultrasound and CT.
When they opened me up, I was necrotic and all the tissue was dying...I was well on my way to a rupture and gangrene. Had they not removed it when they did, I was in for major problems and allot bigger surgery!
Since having it removed, I am having typical problems with bloating and some gas pains and am still unable to eat certain foods, but it's only been 3 weeks. Each day it gets better!
I wouldnt screw around. I would push to have it out. You really have nothing to lose...its an extremely common surgery and honestly, there is probably more going on than you (or they) are aware of. Ask to have an exploratory at the same time. I did, and its what saved me from a whole lot of problems! | Were your liver enzymes elevated as well? That's what's really making me think I should have it removed. I'm just not sure if gallbladder issues can raise ALT but the ALP is normal. 2 doctors have told me usually both will be elevated. I'm just wondering if there could be anything else causing that to happen. I feel like I've been tested for pretty much everything, and they all come out negative.
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05-19-2017, 02:26 PM
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#6 | | Senior Veteran (female)
Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: USA
Posts: 11,160
| Re: Elevated liver enzymes, RUQ pain
Sorry...I didnt have time to get liver tests on my Gb...my situation was really very unbelievable.
I started out thinking I had the flu....then it was decided I had food poisoning and Ecoli...during the tests, my thickened and gnarly looking gallbladder were discovered and the next thing I know, Im in surgery finding out that it was completely necrotic (dead tissue) and on its way to gangrene.
There is absolutely no way they can tell how bad your gb is until they get in there, but you honestly have nothing to lose by getting it out. 99% of the people who get it out feel better instantly!
I lost my gb, cystic duct and a small part of my liver where it attaches during my surgery. I can honestly say I had no idea that it was "that close" to rupturing...getting sick the week before actually really did potentially save my life. Dont put it off. Get it out. You have nothing to lose.
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RRMS- dx 05
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