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Why did I develop a gallstone despite normal lipids?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I am 62 years old. A week back, I had severe abdominal pain, so I took an ultrasound. The report says I have 9 mm size gallstone. I have also checked my lipid profile which are normal.

I request that you kindly suggest further action required. I am currently taking Lipicard.

Kindly help.

Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Ajeet Kumar

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have to have more information about this pain before I can tell you what the cause of this pain is.

Usually, the gall bladder stone of such size (less than 10 mm) in size does not cause pain, and if it does, then the pain has to be characteristic one like pain starts within half an hour of meals and gradually increases in intensity within the next 1 hour and then starts declining for the next three to six hours. Vomiting can occur with increased severity of the pain. If you have any of the symptoms mentioned, then it is possible that pain is coming from gall bladder stones, and the definitive treatment is cholecystectomy, i.e., removal of the gall bladder.

Again, I want to emphasize that most of the stones of such size usually do not cause pain and remain asymptomatic doing no harm to the patient throughout their life. The other causes of sudden and severe abdominal pain are ulcers within the stomach, the food pipe, or the small bowel, inflammation of the pancreas called pancreatitis, diabetes and its complications, lead poisoning, drugs such as pain killers, and a few other causes. Your lipid profile is normal, and ultrasound is otherwise normal except that stones which are clearly visible. I advise you to take the following tests:

complete blood count, serum amylase, lipase, calcium, BUN, creatinine, electrolytes, and stool for H.pylori antigen.

You can start capsule Esomeprazole 40 mg half an hour before meals, it will resolve the pain if coming from ulcers in the stomach. However, I highly recommend you to provide more information regarding your problem as I can be in a good position to diagnose and tell you what to do.

I hope this helps you.

Take care.

Answered byDr. Ajeet Kumar

Medically reviewed byDr. Vinodhini J.

Published At May 22, 2020
Reviewed AtMarch 27, 2026

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Ajeet Kumar
Dr. Ajeet Kumar

Medical Gastroenterology

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