how to identify liver problems - #13618
I am trying to figure out how to identify liver problems because I've been feeling really off lately. Like, a few weeks ago, I started getting this nagging pain in my right side, and I thought it was just a stomach thing, but then I noticed my skin was getting kinda yellow, and my eyes too. I googled a bunch and found out about jaundice and was like, oh no, this sounds serious! My appetite has also been weird lately, I’m either starving or feel sick at the thought of food, which is odd for me! I even looked up how to identify liver problems and saw stuff about swelling in the abdomen and dark urine or pale stools— but I haven’t noticed any of those yet. I did have a blood test last week and the doctor said something about my liver enzymes being elevated, which seems like a big deal. What’s odd is I don’t drink alcohol hardly at all, and I eat pretty healthy, but I am really stressed lately. Ugh, what do I do now? How to identify liver problems seems like such a vague thing, I just wish I knew what to look for besides the obvious signs! Should I be asking more specific questions to my doctor? I’m feeling super anxious about all this and would love to hear from anyone who’s been through something similar, like what the next step might be?
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Doctors’ responses
You’re on the right track by being attentive to the symptoms you’re experiencing, like jaundice and right-sided pain, as these can be indicative of liver trouble. Elevated liver enzymes in your blood test support the finding that your liver might be struggling. To identify liver problems more specifically, continue to look for a range of symptoms like fatigue, nausea, or changes in stool color. Though you haven’t noticed all of them, it’s good you’re monitoring. Since you mentioned stress and a generally healthy lifestyle, it’s still worth exploring potential causes such as viral infections (like hepatitis), certain medications, or metabolic disorders, not just lifestyle factors like alcohol use. Bring up all your symptoms to your doctor, even if they seem minor. Asking about further blood tests or imaging studies like an ultrasound of your liver can be wise. These could help identify conditions like fatty liver disease, liver fibrosis, or inflammation. If your doctor hasn’t already, ask whether you need to see a specialist, such as a hepatologist, for a more detailed assessment. Meanwhile, try to maintain your healthy diet, avoid alcohol completely, and manage stress as best as you can, since stress can indirectly affect liver health through various mechanisms in the body. Consider discussing any herbal supplements or over-the-counter medications with your doctor too, as they can affect your liver. Identifying liver issues promptly ensures the right treatment and intervention, so staying proactive in this process is definitely key.
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