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what causes liver pain
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Digestive Health
Question #14187
14 days ago
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what causes liver pain - #14187

Ananya

I am super confused and kinda worried here. A few weeks ago, I started feeling this weird sensation in my upper right abdomen, and I can't shake the feeling that it might be liver pain or something. It’s like, sometimes it's a dull ache, but other times it feels sharper, you know? Nothing severe enough to go jump into the ER or anything, but def not pleasant. I went to my doc, and she mentioned that it could be due to a bunch of different things and did some blood tests. All my liver function tests came back normal, which was good, right? But I'm still wondering, like, what causes liver pain if the tests are fine? I mean, I drink alcohol occasionally but not excessive, and I eat semi-healthy most of the time. I also read a bit about gallbladder issues, but I'm not sure if that could be connected too. It's frustrating because I don't want to ignore something that could be serious. Can liver pain still happen even if tests show everything's alright? What causes liver pain that might not show in tests? I'm just really looking for some insight here and honestly feel a bit lost with all this.

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Doctors’ responses

When dealing with a sensation like you’re describing in the upper right abdomen, it’s quite understandable to be puzzled about what’s going on, especially since your liver function tests came back normal. It’s important to know that liver pain, or the feeling attributed to it, can have several causes and isn’t always directly linked to abnormal blood tests. Here are a few potential causes that can help you navigate this situation. First, liver pain isn’t exclusively correlated to liver function; often, it might be masking pain from nearby organs, like the gallbladder. Conditions like gallstones or biliary colic might cause similar pain and often don’t directly affect liver enzyme levels. An ultrasound might be useful if gallbladder issues are suspected. Other liver-related issues might include conditions like fatty liver disease or viral hepatitis, but you would typically see some anomaly in liver function tests with these. Musculoskeletal pain can also contribute to discomfort in this area, often due to strain or tension in the ribcage muscles, which might not show abnormalities in liver tests. If you regularly take medications, certain ones can impact liver function subtly even if bloodwork is normal, and rare conditions like liver hemangioma might also cause discomfort but require imaging to detect. Monitor your lifestyle factors — like alcohol intake and diet — since they are relevant but, again, wouldn’t always show up in liver tests unless there’s significant liver involvement. If this pain persists or changes in intensity, it’s wise to follow up with your physician for further evaluation. Imaging studies like an ultrasound or CT scan could provide more clarity. Though your situation isn’t emergent, persistent or worsening pain should always be reassessed, considering that occasional tests might not give the complete picture.

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