Roughly 4 years ago I started suffering pain in my right side. Which gradually got worse. It came on around the time my mother died, so for quite a long time I put it down to stress,
Finally I went to my GP after many, many appointments was finally given a scan which showed up gallstones. I explained it was persistent and food didn't trigger attacks.
I had a cholecystectomy in May 2023 but the pain remained.
Since roughly June I have had joint pains, in the last couple of months in particular my knees, elbows and hands. I've saw a rheumatologist recently for bloods and x-rays.
Blood results have shown a problem with my liver, another fasting blood test was took and yesterday my GP rang and asked to see me.
He mentioned possibly hepatitis and needing another ultrasound.
I have always been thankfully quite healthy. I don't drink alcohol or smoke. I never take sick days from work but recently the pain in my side is unbearable, some days my joints hurt so much I can't get washed and dressed.
Any ideas what I can do as I don't think I could wait 6 months to be reviewed by the rheumatology department. Any help would be great.
Thanks in advance
Written by
Vonnie13
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Hepatitis means liver inflammation of which there can be many causes - the ones everyone automatically think of are alcohol related (not relevant in your case), the various viral hepatitis's (GP could probably run the tests for these) and then there is auto immune hepatitis & a few of your symptoms - the joint pain, liver area pain increasing during stressful period and more can be auto immune related.
An ultrasound can identify if there is any damage to your liver but can't identify whether you have an auto immune issue - you'll need more tests for auto immune markers, bloods to see if you have ongoing inflammation.
Obviously when you've had this ultrasound you want to push to see gastroenterology/hepatology to see if this is a liver related issue.
If it is something along these lines then there are treatments that can keep it under control.
Joint pain plus liver issues could be haemochromotosis. Do you have any Scottish or Irish heritage in your immediate family? It's often known as the "celtic curse".
The good news is that it is very treatable with regular weekly treatments and easily diagnosed through a genome test.
Thanks for the advice. This may sound strange but when I bend down I feel like something inside me is pressing against my rib cage. Sleeping on my right side is extremely hard to do too.
Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), also known as gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, is an enzyme that’s found throughout your body, though it mainly exists in your liver. An enzyme is a type of protein in a cell that acts as a catalyst and allows certain bodily processes to happen. There are thousands of enzymes throughout your body that have important functions.
What is a gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) blood test?
A gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) blood test measures the activity of GGT in your blood. GGT may leak into your bloodstream if your liver or bile duct is damaged, so having high levels of GGT in your blood may indicate liver disease or damage to your liver’s bile ducts. Bile ducts are tubes that carry bile (a fluid that’s important for digestion) in and out of your liver.
Your GGT levels can also rise from administration of foreign substances such as medications (like phenobarbital, phenytoin or warfarin) or alcohol.
GGT is typically the first liver enzyme to increase in your blood when any of your liver bile ducts become blocked or constricted. Because of this, it’s the most sensitive liver enzyme test for finding bile duct issues. (Normal range differs from lab to lab but an accepted range is usually 5 - 40 U/L)
Since many types of liver issues can cause elevated levels of GGT in your blood, healthcare providers don’t use the test alone to diagnose conditions. Because of this, providers usually order GGT blood test alongside other liver function tests. It’s most often tested alongside an alkaline phosphatase (ALP) blood test, which measures another type of enzyme that’s found in your liver and bones.
I’ve had my ultrasound this morning, last time I had one I was told instantly my gallbladder had multiple stones this time the radiographer was very polite but didn’t say anything. My GP has rang me again to say he needs to see me regarding my bloods from rheumatology and the receptionist mentioned my liver. I now have 2 weeks to wait before I see him. Should I be more worried nothing was said this morning? Or take it as good news?
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