Hello.  This is slightly embarrassing but I’d like some clarity if possible.  Due to health insurance costs and with a large family it’s not an easy decision to get tests done but I’d like to know if it’s time at this point.

Particulars:
- 41 year old male
- 5’11”, 153 lbs
- Relatively clean diet, very rare alcohol intake, no known food sensitivities or allergies
- In relatively good shape (high VO2 max, relatively easy to run 3 miles), but inconsistent exercise lately due to mild discomfort as shown below
- Last detailed physical in Nov 2024.  All normal except for elevated cholesterol (253 total, 184 LDL), and slightly dilated thoracic aorta (cardiologist said no concern at this point)
-  History of anxiety, but not on any prescription meds 

Symptoms/background:
- From ~Dec 2024 to April 2025 had mild pain in right upper abdomen next to belly button that sometimes migrated (either downward or wrapping around right flank)
- Never exceeded 2/10 and went away on its own.  Not accompanied by any other obvious symptoms 
- I will say that I also had relatively easy weight loss rather quickly.  About 1.5 to 2 years ago I was at 177 lbs at my heaviest.  My records indicate in Nov 2024 I was at 163 lbs.  Recently I got down to 147 lbs but have stabilized at ~150 lbs.  I did cut out sugar and processed foods and was exercising fairly regularly during the weight drop
- In early Aug 2025 the intermittent pain returned.  Same mild gnawing pain, not sharp.  Rarely tender next to belly button when pressing, but most often, no worsening pain or tenderness when pressing on abdomen
- Not made worse by movement, coughing, exercise, or eating.  Still not exceeding 2/10.  Still moves around a bit sometimes either into somewhat lower right abdomen or into right flank
- I have health anxiety and have been checking regularly for bloody/unusual stools.
- Nothing very unusual, and frequency/consistency have been mostly normal or short-lived when slightly looser
- A couple weeks ago or so ago I thought part of a stool (not the whole) looked slightly pale, but it was not obvious/severe enough to concern me a lot
- Today, pain has been intermittent but still noticeable, mild as always.  
- I had the attached BM today which to me looks more pale than I’ve seen before.  I don’t know if it seems oily or pale enough to be worrying though; never had an issue like this before
- Haven’t noticed any other new/significant symptoms, and since everything has been so mild, I haven’t gone in for any testing so far

Questions:
- Does any pattern in the described symptoms seem concerning?
- Does the pic show a concerning level of paleness or oiliness? 
- Would anyone suggest getting any tests done?  If so, which ones?

Just looking for either some advice for anyone that may have experienced this and either reassurance that there is nothing very concerning, or confirmation I should get more tests if needed.  Trying not to assume the worst as I sometimes do with my health anxiety.

Thank you!


Getting worried about symptoms