Could I still have gallbladder problems even though a blood test came back fine?

[Mortigua]

I have had awful pain and the Dr at MAU suspected it could be gallbladder related ( or just muscular /gastrointestinal) but a blood test came back clear. It's so bad today after a heavy lunch. I think she's refereed me for a liver scan but I'm not sure whether that was cancelled when the blood test came back clear. Would it have definitely shown up if it was gallbladder related on a blood test?

When I had gastric problems I was sent for a scan, which showed gallstones. I don't see how a blood test can diagnose gall stones.

Thanks hopefully the referral has still gone through then. She said initially that she would let me go home but to chase up the scan if it's not through within a week but then someone else came to discharge me properly and they said all fine with the bloods so no treatment needed. Notes don't mention the scan. I will see how I go but at this rate mat need to see a dr anyway. So painful and it really doesn't feel muscular.

If they don’t show on the scan and you still have the pain ask for an MRI. I had lots of very small gallstones that didn’t show in an ultrasound but did in an MRI.

The blood test was probably for pancreatitis, when I had it it was diagnosed by a blood test.

Thank you. Yes she did liver function on the test I think. Still getting pains but it's definitely better today than it was after eating too much yesterday. So hard to even work out where it is but when it is bad it's very bad!

Well this is weird. The place I've been having the pain is just at the top of my rib cage to the right (also when really bad it goes into my back too but it's mainly been the right side top abdomen. ) today I've just noticed there is skin discolouration there perhaps bruising ? No injury though. Surely a bruise from the baby's position wouldn't cause outward marking! But would be nice to think it was something so simple that would just resolve itself!

Hi, I recently had my gallbladder out and what you are explaining sounds 1000000 million percent gall bladder symptoms, I never had a blood test I had an ultrasound to detect them. When you have this pain heat really helps reduce it, a warm bath used to be my saviour. I feel for you because that pain is so hard to soften when your having an attack... paracetamol don’t touch it either :(((

Thanks and hope you are feeling better now. I'm up again with pain but possibly it's from lying down despite propping myself up.

Oh since having it out I feel amazing! I always used to get my attacks through the night, I really hope it gets better for you xx

The blood test was to look for a gallstone related infection.

You can still have gallstone related pain which is not caused by an infection which won't show up on the blood test, it's called biliary colic - you'll need a liver ultrasound for that. Which it sounds like your doctor has arranged.

Thank you both.
Ok that must be why she.arranged the ultra sound. Slightly confused as she said that then when the.mw discharged me she didn't seem aware of that plan and nothing in the notes so I wondered whether she had cancelled it due to having clear blood results. Will chase it up as she originally said in that case if it's not arrived by a weeks time.
Better today but had awful indigestion after some toast so have had paracetamol ( am on omeprazole and gaviscon but they aren't always enough. )
Can't wait for this baby to arrive, it's been a tough pregnancy so far and still a way to go!

When I had my first gallbladder attack I thought it was back ache caused by the baby sleeping on me! It was really hard to define but sort of upper right quadrant - couldn't tell if it was stomach or shoulder or back. I then tried to eat pizza (!!) and was sick as a dog.

Dr gave me buscopan and cocodamol and that knocked it right on the head. I've never had another attack (scan confirmed tiny little gallstones which are actually worse as the buggers can get out!) but if ever I felt that telltale pain in my right shoulder, I guzzled the drugs and it went away. 13 months and counting since I felt anything, touch wood (probably doomed myself now!).

People on online forums also really recommend those warm wheat bags that you heat up in the microwave - I can confirm that a warm bath helps too.

If you do need to have it out, I have several friends who've had it done and they are all totally fine with no long term effects except no more pain.

Ah sorry if you're still pregnant you can't have buscopan or cocodamol - just paracetamol for you!! But if it happens again when the baby is here, that's the magic combo as far as I'm concerned.

Thanks Rebecca. I'm in loads of pain again tonight and it all sounds very similar - unsure if it's my ribs, stomach or back or all of them! I keep thinking it's the baby sticking it's feet on my ribs but it's all the other pains too. It does seem to come and go and maybe isn't as severe as others I've known with gallbladder issues though so could be nothing much! So hard to tell. Feels really sore even lightly touching the area to the right of the rib pain.

:((((

Try a warm bath and paracetamol