Gallstones

[gemlou84]

Hi all, I’ve been on a high fat low carb diet for about a year now. However the high fat diet has now given me gallstones. It’s incredibly painful when I have a gallstone attack. The doctor has now told me I have to go on a low fat diet. He was less than sympathetic and told me I had done it to myself.

I would like to point out that I’m 37 and weigh 10st 3lbs so I’m within normal bmi and I think I have type 2 because I had gestational diabetes with my last daughter.

how can I possibly now have low carb, low fat diet? Anyone experienced in this who can help?

Thanks v much

 

[zand]

It's most likely that the gallstones were there before, they just moved when more fat was introduced.

 

[Antje77]

He was less than sympathetic and told me I had done it to myself.

That's a nasty thing to say, and not true. Many people develop gallstones without eating LCHF (including myself), how would he know you wouldn't have gotten them on a different diet?

 

[NicoleC1971]

There a view that low fat causes the gallstones because the bile that isn't being used to digest fat builds up and crystallises causing the pain of an attack.
That isn't much help right now and I'd do your own research then go back to a more open minded doctor to discuss how to handle the situation assuming that you are feeling a benefit from low carb?
Also I think the other extreme of adding fat to everything for the sake of it e.g lashings of butter, cream and excess cheese/macadamia nuts is as unnecessary as cutting fat out too. Consider easing back then adding it back slowly perhaps?

 

[gemlou84]

Hi, thanks. Yes I feel a million times better for going low carb - the brain fog and exhaustion has lifted. I think I’ll ease off it a bit and hope it was a one off attack. Gosh it was painful. I’ve had two children and the gallstones were worse pain.

I’m wondering if I need to seek specialist advice? I have an under active thyroid as well. Anyone know what kind of specialist might be able to help?
Thanks for your replies

 

[Pipp]

Hi @gemlou84 . So sorry you have had such a horrible experience, and a very poor consultation with the doctor who blamed you for your gallstones.
I noticed from a previous post that around a year ago you had a blood test which showed you were in the range for pre-diabetes. Have you got a meter and tested blood glucose levels since then? Hopefully you will have reduced the HbA1c, and that will show in your next HbA1c.

As for the gallstones, you have my sympathy. My own gall stones appeared after years of NHS low fat diet advice, so I fail to see how your doctor can blame your LCHF regime. However, you now need to manage the pain and avoid further attacks from the gallstones. Are you to have surgery to remove them? To get a balance between managing blood glucose levels and avoiding gallbladder pain, you could perhaps check just how much fat and the type you are eating. When I first embraced the LCHF diet I didn’t fully understand. I had read about bulletproof coffee, and eating cream, butter and cheese, and overindulged. I now rename my way of eating as Low Carb Just Enough Healthy Fat. So, less butter, cream, cheese, and get most fat from nuts, olives, olive oil, coconut oil, avocado. To keep low carb, I avoid the obvious sugary stuff altogether, also pastries, pasta, rice. Bread, I allow myself half a slice once a week, and only have potato very occasionally. Hope you can find a balance, too.

 

[jonathan183]

Hi all, I’ve been on a high fat low carb diet for about a year now. However the high fat diet has now given me gallstones. It’s incredibly painful when I have a gallstone attack. The doctor has now told me I have to go on a low fat diet. He was less than sympathetic and told me I had done it to myself.

I would like to point out that I’m 37 and weigh 10st 3lbs so I’m within normal bmi and I think I have type 2 because I had gestational diabetes with my last daughter.

how can I possibly now have low carb, low fat diet? Anyone experienced in this who can help?

Thanks v much

I read somewhere that they can treat gall stones but have not done so regularly because people on a low fat diet will develop them again - sorry can't remember where I encountered it

 

[Antje77]

I read somewhere that they can treat gall stones but have not done so regularly because people on a low fat diet will develop them again - sorry can't remember where I encountered it

Usually it's treated by simply removing the whole gall bladder, very happy they removed mine!

 

[Marie 2]

Gallstones are formed and most commonly made up of cholesterol or sometimes bilirubin. Rapid weight loss or even weight gain are also a cause as it disrupts the balance of acids that is normally maintained. I'm sure there are some other reasons too. A lot of people have gallstones with no issues. It's when they move and block the bile ducts that they can cause serious pain and be dangerous. Unfortunately once that happens I think you are prone to it happening again. There are some natural products that some use to dissolve them if you have enough time. But once you have an attack, it can easily happen again, probably because of where they are positioned.