Sore Ribs - liver related?

[WelfordD]

Hi, I would be really grateful for any advice. For about 3 months now I’ve had a “tight” feeling around my chest. I also have had a soreness around the top of my rib cage. Left and right side but more the right, my ribs feel sore, like they are bruised. I have not sustained an injury. I had a blood test 18 months ago which showed ALT at 44. One month ago I had another which showed ALT as 66. GP said all my other levels were normal. Cholesterol is 4.7, no diabetes. I am overweight with a BMI of 31.2. I am wondering if I have NAFLD. I do drink alcohol. Is the “soreness & bruised” feeling coming from my liver? Anyone else experienced ‘‘tis feeling in their rib cage and is it liver related. GP just said he’ll retest me in 6 weeks.

[briccolone]

Hhi welford , am not a doctor so can't diagnose but the raised alt could indicate some kind of inflammation,as you say could be weight related. I don't have raised alt but have the same feeling of tightness around the ribs. Comes and goes. My advice would be to stop drinking for a few weeks and try and lose a bit if weight and see what happens on retest. Cheers

[jbrking]

I have NAFLD and when found my alt was nearly 200. That was 13 years ago. I don’t drink. I take meds and it’s now around 70/80 mark which is still high its stable for me. My gamma gt is also very high. Cholesterol ok as I’m on meds. Also diabetic. I get occasional pain but nothing bad. See what you result is again with your next test. And you need to look at your diet maybe. And of course not drink!

[AyrshireK]

It sounds like you have a few risk factors for liver related issues, however, don't immediately think the worst. Have you heard of the condition costochondritis which is an inflammation of the connective tissue of the rib cage. Have a read and see if it strikes a chord. nhs.uk/conditions/costochon...

Katie