abnormal lab results, fluctuating, abdominal pain, stools changing, blood in stools, testicle pain and back pain

[RyanWills]

I have been back and forth from doctors since January. I came back from a lads break with severe abdominal pain to my upper right side and upper left side radiating to my back. I was also vomiting and i found a lump on my testicles. I went to the doctors straight away and was then advised to go for blood tests. I also had an ultrasound on my testicles and it turned out to be an epididymis cyst. My blood test results came back with my alt levels at 147 and my ast at 60, which the doctors wanted to keep an eye on. I was referred for an colonoscopy as i had blood in my stool and that came back clear with some haemorrhoids and no further action was needed. During this time, i also had a few more blood tests conducted and my alt levels were slowly decreasing. I had an ultrasound on my abdominal, which came back clear so back to the gp I went. My last two blood tests, ALT gone down to 40 but all of a sudden my gfr levels went to 46 and my creatinine levels went to 160. I was referred to hospital straight away the next day for more bloods. i wanted to continue on with the first bit. My ultrasound and CT scan came back and they said there was a build-up of fluid in my right kidney and they have referred me to an urologist. My blood tests all of a sudden shown an increase in bilirubin levels at 26, normal range is below 20, my alt steady at 40, normal range is below 35, and my gfr has gone back to over 90 and my creatinine gone back to 87. I am so worried about what it could be. They have eliminated CKD, but now i am worried about pancreatic cancer, kidney cancer, lymphoma etc. i fear the worst. I have also had change in stools, consistency, frequency, slight itchiness but I don’t know if that’s my mind telling me.

[RyanWills]

Just to add, i am 25, fairly active (used to power lift). I am a new daddy, hardly ever drink, only for an event or when i am out with my partner! it has been manic over the last few months and i come from a medical background so i worry myself even more! is it normal for these results to fluctuate the way they have and why all of a sudden my billrubin levels have spiked? can something be missed on ct scans, ultrsounds?

[Hidden in reply to RyanWills]

Hi Ryan,

Im not the most knowledgeable on here and there will be others who are that will be able to help you more. I just wanted to ressure you that your bilirubin is not that high.

[RyanWills in reply to Hidden]

thank you, i understand they are not high. Still worries me with everything that is going on and my results fluctuating and the pain is not going away. I am urinating every 15-20 mins and it feels like im not emptying my bladder fully

[RyanWills]

I asked for all my blood results because I wanted to compare them both. My bilirubin levels have increased over each of them, one at 12, 13, 21 then 26. My alt and ast gone down rapidly though, I just really don’t get it, can someone shed some light? Is this normal to happen, I know lab results can be different but to go nearly double? And not go down?

[Kristian in reply to RyanWills]

Hi Ryan, from what you describe much of your issues quite probably relate to the problems you've had with your kidneys and urinary tract system. From my experience it's not that unusual for there to be knock on effects to other organ systems when you have a problem with another. The liver tests are pretty sensitive to those, especially when they are accompanied by some form of infection or acute injury, even if that is elsewhere in the body. From the sounds of it your doctors seemed to have followed up everything as they should. So whilst some of your results can fluctuate between being normal and being a bit deranged, this is probably not that unexpected. If you are now under the care of a urologist, they will keep monitoring you to try and get to the bottom of what is causing your particular problem. If anything does point to a problem elsewhere, then I'm sure they will refer you on to another appropriate specialist at that time. That is what happened in my case anyway. The fact that they have ruled out some of the more chronic stuff is a good thing though.

[RyanWills in reply to Kristian]

thank you, i just fear the worst like everybody else! One thing thats really been bothering me is symptons of pancreatic cancer, i know i am young and the likelyhood is very slim, the fact my billirubin levels increasing slowly and the pain i am having, loss of appetite back pain its just exhausing at the moment and im just not enjoying life at the moment with all this happening.

[Kristian in reply to RyanWills]

Hahaha, you're no different to anyone else there. It seems to be a normal human reaction. I too have spent many a long night scouring the pages of Google, lol. It's also only natural to focus on what the worst thing it could be rather than actually looking at what it's more likely to be. Even if the stats say there's a 1 in 10 chance of something being an infection and 1 in a million chance of it being cancer, we all still think we have cancer. In general we appear to be a "glass half empty" sort of society, lol. So you're pretty much in with the rest of us there. And that's why we have doctors. The people that do the leg work, to run the tests and weigh up all the symptoms based on their combined years of knowledge and experience rather than our hours, sometimes days, ok weeks of googling, to come up with a diagnosis and, hopefully a treatment plan. Ok, sometimes they dont get it right first time, the human body is a complex and sometimes bloody awkward thing afterall, but in the main they are usually somewhere along the right lines. So, in your case, I personally would take great comfort in what they have done, have found and have ruled out already. If they had found anything that was likely to be cancerous, you'd probably know by now. From what you've posted so far, to me it seems that you are in good hands. I appreciate it's not easy when you dont have a full diagnosis, I went 8 years without one. Worrying about it though isn't going to change anything. If the worst does happen, which in many cases wont when you take in to account society as a whole, you then haven't wasted all your energy and are in a better position to deal with it. In the mean time have fun when you can and good luck 😊😊😊.

[Radnor]

Congratulations first on becoming a Dad, having a child does change how you see life too. Before you had just you to think about. Now you are responsible for a tiny person who you need to provide for and take care of. It is likely that this is making you aware of this little one needing you. Having a medical background is a blessing but can also be a curse. I didnt even realise fibrosis was serious until I wanted travel insurance! Blood tests are only a part of diagnosing conditions, there could be numerous reasons for changes, you have listed some of the least likely for a man your age but as I said you are now concerned because you are a Dad. You will find you have changed in lots of small ways. No doubt the thought of changing a dirty nappy once seemed gross? Not if its your offspring. Unless your very lucky you probably dont get unbroken sleep too. My daughter had the life scared out of er when er bloods showed ??125. Told she may have cancer. 3 tests later it was normal again and after a major op to remove a massive dermoid cyst it went for testing and was all clear. Men find it harder to share their fears and concerns, except perhaps on a forum like this. I'm sure if you have friends who have become a parent they will likely have changed as well. You are being thoroughly checked out but understandably you want answers becuse its not just you any longer who you need to be fit and well for. You are not being ignore and it does take time to get appointments through. I have a scan tomorrow that is not done everyday, I will ten have to wait until 12th June to get the results. Enjoy your new baby because in no time they become lippy teenagers lol Hazel xx

[RyanWills in reply to Radnor]

Thank you for your kind words! I guess speaking to people on here makes me less anxious, I don’t want my friends or family worrying about me but I also need to speak at the same time so I thought coming on here would help, and it has slightly! Good luck for your scans! Sometimes I wish we could plug a usb cable into us and run a diagnosis like a computer!

[RyanWills]

Just an update. I am in nuclear medicine today having a renogram. I have been referred to the vague symptoms clinic as well so things are moving fast now which has got my anxiety levels through the roof.