Weird sensation below right ribs

[Warfare]

for about 4 years now I’ve had this feeling below right ribs it’s a full/swollen feeling when I sit down I notice it more and if I’m running it feels like I’m carrying something but I’ve had X-ray and 3 ultrasound all came back normal I’ve had colonoscopy which they removed some polyps and they still have no idea what it is I’ve tried all the different food diets and no change

Anyone suffering same symptoms

[TiggerMe]

How are your liver enzymes looking?

[Warfare in reply to TiggerMe]

is that found on full blood count

[Warfare in reply to TiggerMe]

Just checked my blood test and it came back normal for liver test

[Noelnoel in reply to Warfare]

What are the actual numbers and ranges

I’ve had liver discomfort for years but it’s only this last few years that liver enzymes have really risen along with the discomfort becoming actual pain. Funnily enough I was going to write a post about it today. Will do so now

[Warfare in reply to Noelnoel]

Serum albumin

21 Feb

45

g/L

-2 decrease

in range

Serum alkaline phosphatase

21 Feb

129

iu/L

+16 increase

in range

Serum ALT

21 Feb

18

iu/L

+6 increase

in range

Serum globulin

21 Feb

22

g/L

-1 decrease

in range

Serum total bilirubin

21 Feb

11

umol/L

+1 increase

in range

Serum total protein

21 Feb

67

g/L

-2 decrease

in range

[Noelnoel in reply to Warfare]

That’s standard. GGT is an important one, as is another one, the name of which escapes me

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Warfare]

You might care to look at a post I made earlier today about liver function tests.

Assessing liver function and interpreting liver blood tests

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Welcome to the thyroid forum

Are you diagnosed as hypothyroid or trying to get diagnosed

If diagnosed, how much levothyroxine are you taking

What are your most recent thyroid and vitamin test results and ranges

Also have you had cholesterol levels tested….high cholesterol linked to being hypothyroid

Gallbladder issues often linked too

have you had scan for gallstones, scan to see if gallbladder swollen or bile duct blocked

[Warfare in reply to SlowDragon]

I’m just trying everything to see what it can be my thyroid came back normal

I had ultrasound done on gallbladder that came back clear

[Regenallotment in reply to Warfare]

Hi its quite common to be told your thyroid is 'normal' but when you have the actual results .... it isn't..... if you can get the actual blood test result and range from the GP and post it here, you can find out what is normal.

e.g. most healthy people with definitely no thyroid problem have TSH around 1-2

Mine at diagnosis was 4.8 then 5.5 (the range is to 4.6) so if you are up in the 4s then your thyroid may be 'normal' according to the GP or the medic that posted your results online for the GP practice but in reality it might not be normal at all.

any rib damage from earlier life?

[Warfare in reply to Regenallotment]

Serum free thyroxine 16.6

Serum TSH 1.1

No rib damage

[Regenallotment in reply to Warfare]

Is the range on your FT4 12-22?

Despite your ‘normal ’ TSH a mid range FT4 makes me feel awful. Did they check your iron /ferritin B12 folate and Vit D? Raising those to optimal (not just in range) can really help. 🌱

[Warfare in reply to Regenallotment]

Range: 11.1 - 22 pmol/L

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Warfare]

what time was test done?

Free T4 (fT4) 16.6 pmol/L (11.1 - 22) 

Ft4 50.5% through range

Far too frequently only TSH and Ft4 tested which is useless

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested

Also both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once to see if autoimmune issues

Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year minimum

Low vitamin levels are extremely common when hypothyroid, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease

Low vitamin levels much more common as we get older

How old are you

About 90% of primary hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease, usually diagnosed by high TPO and/or high TG thyroid antibodies

Autoimmune thyroid disease with goitre is Hashimoto’s

Autoimmune thyroid disease without goitre is Ord’s thyroiditis.

Both are autoimmune and generally called Hashimoto’s.

Significant minority of Hashimoto’s patients only have high TG antibodies (thyroglobulin)

20% of autoimmune thyroid patients never have high thyroid antibodies and ultrasound scan of thyroid can get diagnosis

In U.K. medics hardly ever refer to autoimmune thyroid disease as Hashimoto’s (or Ord’s thyroiditis)

Recommended that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am, only drink water between waking and test

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)

Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or all relevant vitamins

Post all about what time of day to test

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Testing options and includes money off codes for private testing

thyroiduk.org/testing/

Medichecks Thyroid plus BOTH TPO and TG antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes BOTH TPO and TG antibodies, cortisol and vitamins

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning.

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/testing/thyro...

Link about Hashimoto’s

thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...

Symptoms of hypothyroidism

thyroiduk.org/signs-and-sym...

Tips on how to do DIY finger prick test

support.medichecks.com/hc/e...

Medichecks and BH also offer private blood draw at clinic near you, or private nurse to your own home…..for an extra fee

[Thirtyone]

I have had the exact problem you describe for over 10 years. I have had all the same tests and even had my gallbladder removed and I still experience the feeling. Several people have suggested IBS and some forums for that condition show others with this which could be hepatic flexure syndrome. I have come to the conclusion that I have to live with it. Luckily it can go off for a few weeks and it is much worse when stressed.

[Warfare in reply to Thirtyone]

Yeah that’s funny you say that as mine seemed to of went away for a while but now it back and won’t calm down it’s so annoying and when it flares up I feel like I got no energy and feel bit lightheaded but all bloods etc come back normal

[arTistapple]

Great name. I hear you. Yes I have had this stuff for many years. It’s quite a common ‘route’ for hypos. Gall bladder issues which never come to anything (in my case). I was even taken into hospital at one point (over forty years ago) and told they could not operate straight away because of the extent of the inflammation. Told to come back in three months - then nothing found! Over the years it’s been checked again by ultrasound etc - again nothing! I think it’s muscular, a certain spot which time after time goes into spasm (a big hypo symptom) for goodness knows what reason. Many of my symptoms are down to spasm.

[Bina-Jane]

I also had these symptoms, all clear. Finally a doctor suggested a back xray and it turned out I had mild scheurmanns disease in my thoracic spine. It was causing referred "feeling" in the gallbladder area. This was way before my thyroid issues. Had the usual ultrasounds on gallbladder etc. I found that strengthening my back muscles helped and not slouching.

I had a recent gallbladder ultrasound (more than 30 years later) and it did show a "flare" on the lining of my gallbladder but apparently is a symptomatic.

[Warfare in reply to Bina-Jane]

thanks what did you do to strengthen back

Also I do slouch a lot

[Bina-Jane in reply to Warfare]

I did go to an exercise physiologist just once. My xrays showed a disc problem at T6 so specific to my case. Any good physio could help you. I also strenghtened my chest as they compliment the back exercises. I am reluctant to recommend anything specific as everyone is different and I wouldn't want you to hurt yourself.

[Popeye44]

Have you considered seeing an osteopath? A cranial osteopath does very gentle treatment and you can find one via the Sutherland Society website cranial.co.uk. I was told by a cranial osteopath that she could feel my hypo symptoms in my tissues 20 years before I finally got a diagnosis. They might find your problem and make you feel more comfortable.

[Litatamon in reply to Popeye44]

I think this is a great suggestion. Although I have never seen one, some stories of their abilities are astonishing. I know of a man who had constant discomfort over years - especially when running and no answers from doctors. The osteopath found a fractured rib. And he had had scans.

--------

Best of luck with everything, Warfare.

[Gardencab]

Hi, I’m so grateful for you adding me to your group. I’ve never replied or posted before. But am an avid reader of all the posts.

I was diagnosed with an under active thyroid in 2020. I had chronic fatigue and went to my GP and was given 25mg Levothyroxine. My GP also sent me for scans, where nodules were found. GP suggested I have these checked annually, in which I was pro active. In 2023, one of these scans were preformed by a private clinic via NHS. I was asked by the doctor who did the scan, if I had ever had a biopsy taken of the nodule. No was the answer.

I was then sent to have a biopsy by NHS, which picked up I had a papillary carcinoma, within 4 weeks I had a total thyroidectomy. I’m now on 100mg Levothyroxine and feel well, due to this group I’ve up my supplements.

I wanted to post, because over the last 6 months I have had pain in my right side. My GP (who is fantastic) sent me for abdominal scans, where it was found I had mild fatty liver disease. He has advised me to try and get below 25bmi, which I’m trying to do. Harder than I expected. I want to say at the time, my liver bloods were normal. I’ve researched foods that heal the liver and cut out saturated fats. GP sending me for more bloods and scans in 6 months.