What is the gallbladder?
Gallstones: symptoms & diagnosis
What are the symptoms of gallstones?
How are gallstones diagnosed?
Asymptomatic gallstones are often found by chance during investigations of unrelated conditions.
If you have symptoms and gallstones are suspected, your GP will ask you about the symptoms you are experiencing and may feel your abdomen to see if your liver or gallbladder is tender or enlarged. Blood tests are usually the next tests that your GP will carry out.
A sample of blood is taken by your doctor or a nurse and sent for analysis. These blood tests will look for signs of infection or inflammation. Additional blood tests known as liver function tests (LFTs) will also be done and will look for indications of inflammation, blockage of the bile ducts and damage to the liver.
The liver produces many chemicals that pass into the bloodstream; these can alter if your liver is inflamed or if bile ducts, carrying bile from the liver, are blocked. In the case of suspected gallstones, high levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) and serum bilirubin will usually be seen.
If you are found to have an abnormal result, or a strong clinical history (a family history of gallstones, previous gallbladder surgery or you have risk factors for gallstones), then your GP will refer you for further tests, such as an ultrasound scan, to confirm your diagnosis.
Treatment for gallstones
If gallstones have been discovered incidentally and are not troublesome, it is often recommended to leave them alone. In this case, your doctor may want to adopt a ‘watchful waiting’ policy, which means your symptoms will be monitored to see if they progress before treatment is considered.
Some people may have one mild attack of biliary colic and no further trouble, while others have continuing problems. You may be prescribed painkillers, which you can use to control the symptoms if you experience an attack.
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