Fatty Liver Pain: I am worried. In 201... - British Liver Trust

British Liver Trust

36,244 members17,905 posts

Fatty Liver Pain

Heydays profile image
23 Replies

I am worried. In 2017, I went to my family dr because I was having RUQ pain which was a very dull ache. I was also experiencing hair loss but in patches. Those were my only symptoms. I Had bloodwork done and it was normal with a low GGT. Ultrasound normal. I then had a HIDA scan done and I was told I had enlarged fatty liver and a sluggish gallbladder no stones. I guess he called it “functional” I have changed my diet since then and stopped drinking alcohol (yes, I was a heavy wine drinker) however, the RUQ pain is still there. To touch the RUQ, feels like a bruise. I don’t have any other symptoms other than long brown lines on my thumbs (longitudinal melanonchyia), I get tired after I eat lunch, like really tired, brain fog and frequent right sided neck pain and stabbing chest pain behinf the right breast bone. I was just diagnosed with osteoarthritis of the c5/c6. I just had another normal ultrasound last week and normal labs with a low GGT again. I am worried I still have fatty liver or it has progressed to cirrhosis. Anyone having similar issues or have any advice.

Written by
Heydays profile image
Heydays
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
23 Replies
Heydays profile image
Heydays

I also want to add that I have noticed that my skin has gotten darker (not jaundice) more like I tan super easy. I also cannot go to the dentist due to pain. Freezing doesn’t help. So I just think that because I keep getting new symptoms, it’s all related to my fatty liver. I have heard of so many people with normal Bloodwork and ultrasounds that still have liver disease.

KevinHall10_ profile image
KevinHall10_ in reply to Heydays

are you having trouble with your mouth? You said u couldnt go to the dentist.

Heydays profile image
Heydays in reply to KevinHall10_

yes. I am. My gums bleed and are super sensitive and the freezing does not work or help. It’s awful. They are referring me to a sleep dentistry clinic just to get my teeth cleaned.

HeatherAB profile image
HeatherAB in reply to Heydays

I’m sorry I can’t help or answer your question, but sympathise with the dentistry things as the numbing doesn’t work on me either 😖 No idea why 🤷‍♀️ Hope all goes well

mtk0925 profile image
mtk0925

I’ve had a few ultrasounds and a ct scan if you’re really worried maybe go for a biopsy or MRI to ease your mind. In the mean time limit alcohol diet exercise and all that stuff

Heydays profile image
Heydays in reply to mtk0925

you mentioned you had a few ultrasounds and a CT, were they normal? Did you have normal labs as well?

mtk0925 profile image
mtk0925 in reply to Heydays

normal scans abnormal blood work for the last 8 years since having my first daughter,

Alt 44 AST 41 high cholesterol but normal tricycerides, I want on Prozac during that time so the dr thinks it might be meds that agitate my liver but doesn’t feel the enzymes are too high to be too concerned with

Cat-B profile image
Cat-B

hi, if you’re ultrasound and bloods are normal, I would think it’s your liver, but you should go back to your doctor and tell them your concerns. Good luck

Heydays profile image
Heydays in reply to Cat-B

thanks Cat-B! I have. He doesn’t know what else to do.

Richard-Allen profile image
Richard-Allen

Hello Heydays,

The reference to "fatty liver" is merely an indication that there is a build-up of stored fat in the liver. The liver is still able to function and deal with any damaged liver cells.

The Liver is the body's sugar factory, here it processes sugar by converting it into glucose so our muscles and tendons in our bodies have food to burn. Any unused glucose is then converted to glycogen which is then mixed with insulin and stored as fatty acids.

A diet excessively high in bread, pasta, rice, soda and other carbohydrates is a major risk factor for fatty liver, which is marked by the abnormal accumulation of fat within a liver cell.

It is estimated that 1 in 3 people have a fatty liver. Indeed, it is said that approximately 100 million people in America have a “fatty liver”. Mainly due to poor diet (hot dogs, burgers, fries, etc).

Now, the liver itself doesn’t have any pain receptors. So we can’t feel any pain from the liver itself. It can’t tell you when it’s being damaged or is struggling. This is why sometimes liver disease is also known as “the silent killer”. This isn’t to say you can’t feel pain around the liver area. The liver is surrounded by a thin membrane called the “Glisson Capsule” now this does have pain receptors. If the liver becomes enlarged, then this membrane is stretched and this can cause pain and discomfort. So if your liver has become enlarged then you may feel some discomfort.

The other thing your GP will want to do is to rule out the gallbladder and any possible gallstones.

Because your liver is still working well and able to carry out all the 500+ jobs it constantly does, It will be able to still process the ammonia and make it safe. So it’s unlikely to be a cause of brain fog as in hepatic encephalopathy (HE).

Ask your doctor to refer you to a nutritionist to plan a change in your diet needs. No fries or burgers. No junk food. Over time, your liver will start to break down the excess buildup of fat, which in turn will help your liver.

Finally, it’s good that you want to learn more about the workings of your body, but there needs to be some caution here. There are some rather scary websites out there, and these need to be avoided. The liver is a tough organ, it can take a lot of damage, and still repair itself. Respect it, and it will look after you and do its job.

I hope some of this is of help.

Richard

Heydays profile image
Heydays in reply to Richard-Allen

thank you Richard. I appreciate your explanation.

YvonneM60 profile image
YvonneM60 in reply to Richard-Allen

This is very interestinnv . I think i need to eat more healthy to look after my liver .

I have chronic pancreatitis that has lead to portol hypertendion , i dont have liver disease ,however, because of my portol vein sheinking i also have ostophagus varacies . Last year i had a near fatal bleed ! There is a lot of pressure build up .

Therefore it wouldnt hurt for me to protect my liver more

vinylcollector profile image
vinylcollector in reply to Richard-Allen

Scarring can turn into Cirrhosis it is serious. Go see your GP.

Alibaba80 profile image
Alibaba80

Hi. Have you had liver biopsy? Unfortunately this was the only test that showed my liver disease its very frustrating. I had symptoms ( and much worse) similar to you.

I have Nodular Regenerative Hyperplasia

Heydays profile image
Heydays in reply to Alibaba80

no I have not. My dr told me that he does not need to refer me as my bloods we’re fine and all scans were fine so therefore there is no need to go any further. I’m so frustrated.

Alibaba80 profile image
Alibaba80 in reply to Heydays

Its very frustrating. Unfortunately i had the same problem. Doctors skmply would not listen to me and i really had to fight for a biopsy. As i always say, we know our own body and we know when something is not right

Alibaba80 profile image
Alibaba80

I also have sludge in my gallbladder but not stones. How long have you had the pain? I also have the pain in my liver area

Heydays profile image
Heydays in reply to Alibaba80

I have had the pain since 2017. It is constant. Dull and achy like a cramp from running. Bothersome but not debilitating.

BritishLiverTrust5 profile image
BritishLiverTrust5ModeratorBritish Liver Trust

Dear Heydays

If you are in the UK and would find it useful to talk things over, our nurse-led helpline is open Monday to Friday from 10am to 3pm on 0800 652 7330 (excluding bank holidays)

Best wishes

British Liver Trust

Dramalady profile image
Dramalady

GGT exclude

Heydays profile image
Heydays in reply to Dramalady

What do you mean?

Dramalady profile image
Dramalady in reply to Heydays

Sorry that was a mistake. I didn’t realise I posted a message.

Whiteclouds profile image
Whiteclouds

hello I have fatty liver but had a lot of pain on right side of chest in lower ribcage and abdomen also pain in right shoulder blade and neck ache on right side for a long time was sent for a scan which showed liver was ok but had a large gall stone . Now waiting for operation waiting list is 1 and a half year long maybe more now. Have you had a scan you may have gall stones?

You may also like...

Pain in liver - fatty liver

a few years ago I have been told after scan and blood test that I have fatty liver cause I'm over...

Advice on fatty liver pain

Hello,I had some pain in my right side a year ago, had an ultrasound and blood tests and was...

Fatty liver Pain

year I had ultrasound for pelvis and an incidental finding was Fatty liver. Dr said nothing to...

Fatty Liver -Pain

Hi, I have had NAFLD for several years but have just started to get pain with it. I think it may...

Alcoholic Fatty Liver

I started having right upper abdominal pain about 18 months ago. I have a history of binge drinking