???

I'm a 36 year old male and have a BMI of 25.82.  6 months ago I had elevated bilirubin.  That is now back in the normal range.  My AST is 18.  However, now my ALT is at 67 and I'm having pain in my right rib cage area.  Obviously reading online can scare the crap out of you.  Heart attack, diabetes, liver disease, gall stones are all listed as possiblilities.  I have an ultrasound set up, how concerned should I be that something is seriously wrong?


This discussion is related to Elevated Liver Enzymes and concerned, again..

[CalGal]

Gallstones are a good possibility considering what you're saying is going on, but again that's purely a guess. At your age 'seriously wrong' is typcially not what's going on, so take a deep breath and relax a bit. Stressing yourself out isn't going to do your mind or your body any good.

[jaycoach]

Thanks for the comments.  I realize my ALT isn't extemely high, but what would cause the pain in my rib area?

[jaycoach]

Let me clarify.....I understand you mean the gallstones would likely be the source of the pain.  However, what I've read says gallstones are an intense pain lasting from 30 minutes to 2 hours.  Mine is a dull pain that comes and goes.

[CalGal]

The gallbladder itself could be causing the pain. If you've got stones or sludge, and if that stuff is in the gallbladder itself or in the cystic duct or common bile duct, when those structures contract slightly to expel bile, it can hurt quite a bit. Or if the structures are experienicng a spasm same feeling can occur. For such 'tiny' structures they can cause one heck of a lot of discomfort.

Try following a lot fat diet while you're trying to find out what's going on. Sometimes it can help if it is the gallbladder or biliary system.

[jaycoach]

Thanks