3 replies to this topic

[Zary]

I had to have my gallbladder removed because it was malfunctioning. It was not contracting to squeeze out bile. My ejection rate was only 8% based on the Hida scan. I am just wondering how many others have had this problem (not stones). I have found several links to this same issue as a symptom or seeming result of years of untreated Celiac disease.

I was given a blood test for Celiac. I don't think it was the full panel, but I had already been gluten-free for 5 days before the test. I had such great results from the diet that I decided to decline further testing with the agreement from my PCP after a negative result. He said I obviously have a problem with gluten otherwise I'd have not gotten such a positive result from the diet, which I had decided to try before seeing him because I was so sick and hardly eating anything. I was desperate for food. And I wanted to go to him with some sort of information since all my symptoms sounded like Celiac.

So, just wondering how common the gallbladder malfunctioning issue is with Celiacs.

[mommida]

I read a study that untreated Celiacs have at least a 30% connection to non-functioning gallbladder.
I was about 7 years gluten free and still had to have my gallbladder removed last year.

[mcc0523]

My gallbladder was taken out almost 5 years ago in October of 2006 at age 20. I, too, had no stones, but I had symptoms since I was at least 15 years old (throwing up constantly and horrible stomach pain... although that could have been from eating gluten my whole life at that time). However, according to all of the GI doctors I saw from age 15-20, I was suffering from an immense amount of stress, so much that my body actually created my symptoms. Riiiight!

They found no stones in the multiple ultrasounds and CT scans and MRIs they ran at the time. No doctor thought to see how my gallbladder actually WORKED, they were too busy looking for structure issues (like stones blocking up ducts). Finally, after 5 years of HELL, one doctor decides to order a HIDA scan (I don't know the functioning level, but it's enough for him to immediately say I need to have it removed). It's, unfortunately, the same GI who now keeps stating emphatically that I have IBS and Barrett's esophagus, and refuses to check for celiac, even though I have EDS, which makes me a higher risk. Oh well, I just have heard of another GI in my area, who isn't in the same office as her, who is speaking at my local area's upcoming gluten-free vendor's fair, and he's in-network on my insurance.

I am not sure how long that I've been sick, but I do remember having stomach aches that made my mom take me to the doctor when I was 7 or 8 years old... it must have been long enough to take out my gallbladder, at least...

[Roda]

I also have no stones but a suboptimal functioning gallbladder that was found last year. However, my ejection fraction was above the 35% that they want to even consider surgery. I also was having some celiac related problems also. I feel I have corrected the gluten issues but all of the sudden since Saturday I bloated up, was belching a lot and started with the D and having the pale, foul greasy stools. I do not think I got CC so I'm thinking my gallbladder is acting up again. I'm going to have the tests done again to see how it is doing. I had to start taking my creon again (been off since Nov.) to manage it. I'm back to eating fat free and it is slowly helping, but I can't go on like this forever, it's not going to get better only worse. I think the hidden gluten issues I had last year contributed to it getting worse.