Gallstones are sometimes found during tests for something else. You may not have any symptoms.
If you have symptoms, make an appointment with your GP so they can try to identify the problem.
How your GP can help
Your GP will ask about your symptoms. They may carry out a simple test to find out if your gallbladder is inflamed.
They put their hand on the upper-right area of your tummy to check if it is tender (sore to touch).
If you find this painful, especially when you take a breath in, it usually means you have an inflamed gallbladder. You may need urgent treatment.
Your GP may also recommend having blood tests. This is to look for signs of infection. The tests will also check if your liver is working normally. If gallstones move into your bile duct, they can affect how the liver works.
Further tests
Your GP will refer you for an ultrasound and other tests if your symptoms and test results show you may have gallstones. You may have these in the outpatient department of a hospital.
If you have a more serious form of gallbladder disease you might need to stay in hospital. You may have tests while in hospital.
Ultrasound scan
An ultrasound scan can usually confirm if you have gallstones. The scan uses high frequency sound waves to create an image of the inside of your body.
The sonographer (person doing the scan) spreads gel on your tummy. They move a small hand-held device over and back on your tummy. This creates images which are sent to a screen.
It is a painless procedure. It usually takes about 10 to 15 minutes.
When your GP diagnoses gallstones, it may not be clear if any stones have passed into your bile duct. They can often be seen on an ultrasound scan, but not always.
MRI scan
A type of MRI scan called a MRCP can show if there are gallstones in your bile ducts. You go into a tube-like machine and radio waves produce images of the inside of the body.
CT scan
Your doctor will do a CT scan to look for any complications of gallstones. This scan uses a series of x-rays from different angles. This machine looks like a large polo mint. It is open at both sides.
CT scans are often done in an emergency to diagnose severe abdominal (tummy) pain.
