What are the Possible Causes of Gallstones?

What Causes Gallstones?

To successfully treat and prevent recurrence of gallstones we need to understand and — if possible — remove the underlying causes and risk factors. We need to ask: "What else is going on inside the body that might allow gallstones to develop?"

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Accurate diagnosis of the factors behind gallstones consists of three steps:

Step 1: List the Possible Causative Factors

Identify all disease conditions, lifestyle choices and environmental risk factors that can lead to gallstones. Here are seven possibilities:

High LDL/HDL Ratio
Excess Animal Fat Consumption
Epstein-Barr Virus
Low Melatonin
Inadequate Fiber Intake
A Weight Problem
Cirrhosis Of The Liver

Step 2: Build a Symptom Checklist

Identify all possible symptoms and risk factors of each possible cause, and check the ones that apply:

multiple painful cervical nodes

difficulty losing weight

fast food consumption

elevated B12 levels

increased emotional instability

having low TT4 level

frequent severe earaches

weak appetite

chronic vomiting

regular rashes

occasional sore throats

incoherent speech

... and more than 60 others

Step 3: Rule Out or Confirm each Possible Cause

A differential diagnosis of your symptoms and risk factors finds the likely cause of gallstones:

Cause	Probability	Status
High LDL/HDL Ratio	92%	Confirm
Low Melatonin	25%	Unlikely
Epstein-Barr Virus	18%	Unlikely
A Weight Problem	4%	Ruled out
Inadequate Fiber Intake	3%	Ruled out
Excess Animal Fat Consumption	2%	Ruled out
Cirrhosis Of The Liver	2%	Ruled out

* This is a simple example to illustrate the process

Arriving at a Correct Diagnosis

The Analyst™ is our online diagnosis tool that learns all about you through a straightforward process of multi-level questioning, providing diagnosis at the end.

If you indicate gallbladder problems, The Analyst™ will ask further questions including this one:

Have you had a problem with gallstones?

Possible responses:

→ My gallbladder has been removed / don't know
→ No, tests have confirmed none are present
→ Yes, but it/they were passed without surgery
→ Yes, but it/they only cause few/minor symptoms
→ Yes, they cause frequent/major symptoms

Based on your response to this question, which may indicate confirmed absence of gallstones, past non-surgical gallstone removal, having non-problematic gallstones or having problematic gallstones, The Analyst™ will consider possibilities such as:

Cirrhosis of the Liver

If cirrhosis prevents bile from reaching the gallbladder, a person may develop gallstones as a result.

Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV)

Bladder dysfunction is said to be a symptom.

Low Melatonin Level

There is evidence that a lack of melatonin could significantly increase the risk of developing gallbladder stones. Melatonin inhibits cholesterol secretion from the gallbladder, helps convert cholesterol to bile, and as an antioxidant can reduce oxidative stress on the gallbladder. [Digestive Diseases and Sciences. 2008;53(10):pp.2592-603]

Excess Animal Fat Consumption

People who eat high-fat, high-cholesterol or low-fiber diets are at increased risk of developing gallstones.

Inadequate Fiber Intake

People who eat high-fat, high-cholesterol or low-fiber diets are at increased risk of developing gallstones.

Problems Caused By Being Overweight

Obesity in both men and women increases the risk for gallstones. This may be a result of lower levels of bile salts relative to cholesterol in the bile causing a higher risk for cholesterol supersaturation and the formation of stones.

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