I've been experiencing severe pain in my right upper abdomen, especially after eating fatty foods. I also feel nauseous and sometimes have a fever. I had a blood test done, and it showed elevated levels of something called bilirubin. Could this be gallstones? What are my treatment options?
Below.
ALT:50 U/L
AST:40 U/L
Alkaline Phosphatase:150 U/L
Bilirubin:3.0 mg/dL
White Blood Cells:9.0 x10^9/L
Rachel, a 44-year-old female, reports severe pain in her right upper abdomen, especially after eating fatty foods. She also experiences nausea and occasional fever. Blood test results show elevated bilirubin levels (3.0 mg/dL), alkaline phosphatase (150 U/L), ALT (50 U/L), AST (40 U/L), and white blood cells (9.0 x10^9/L).
Gallstones (Cholelithiasis) (75%) - Gallstones are hardened deposits of digestive fluid that can form in your gallbladder. They can cause severe pain, especially after eating fatty foods, and may lead to complications like infection or inflammation.
Acute Cholecystitis (25%) - This is an inflammation of the gallbladder, often caused by gallstones blocking the ducts. It can cause severe pain, fever, and nausea.
Based on your symptoms and blood test results, the most likely diagnosis is gallstones (cholelithiasis). Gallstones can cause severe pain in the right upper abdomen, especially after eating fatty foods, and can lead to nausea and fever. Elevated bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase levels are common indicators of gallstones. The less likely but possible diagnosis is acute cholecystitis, which is an inflammation of the gallbladder often caused by gallstones blocking the ducts. This condition can also cause severe pain, fever, and nausea. Gallstones are usually not life-threatening but can cause significant discomfort and complications if left untreated. Treatment options include medications to dissolve the stones, but surgery (cholecystectomy) to remove the gallbladder is often recommended for long-term relief. Acute cholecystitis may require antibiotics and possibly surgery if the condition worsens. Next, you should consult with a gastroenterologist or a general surgeon for further evaluation and to discuss treatment options. They may recommend an ultrasound or other imaging tests to confirm the presence of gallstones and assess the condition of your gallbladder.
Your blood test results show elevated bilirubin (3.0 mg/dL), which indicates a possible blockage in the bile ducts, likely due to gallstones. Elevated alkaline phosphatase (150 U/L) and mildly elevated liver enzymes (ALT: 50 U/L, AST: 40 U/L) also support this diagnosis.
This document is not intended as medical advice or a replacement for professional medical consultation. It provides general guidance for initial diagnosis and suggests questions to discuss with a healthcare provider. Always seek personalized medical advice from a qualified physician or healthcare provider. For questions contact us at hi@doctola.com