What should you know about Crohn's disease and gallstones?

Gallstones are solid deposits that form in the gallbladder. Crohn's disease can affect digestion and the way bile is handled, particularly when disease involves the small bowel or after some bowel surgery. This can make gallstones more likely for some people, but having Crohn's disease does not mean that every episode of pain comes from the gallbladder.

Gallstone pain often sits in the upper right or upper middle abdomen and may follow a meal, while Crohn's symptoms can include abdominal pain, diarrhoea, fatigue, or weight change. The patterns can overlap, so a clinician may need to assess both possibilities.

Book a GP Consultation for recurring upper abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, or discomfort after eating. Bring details about where the pain starts, how long it lasts, bowel changes, fever, and medicines. A clinician may arrange blood testing and an ultrasound or other imaging. Continue prescribed Crohn's treatment unless your care team tells you otherwise, and avoid self-treating repeated attacks with leftover medicines.

Seek urgent care for severe or constant upper abdominal pain, fever, repeated vomiting, yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, pale stools, or a very tender abdomen. These symptoms can signal inflammation or blockage involving the gallbladder or bile ducts and need prompt assessment.

Ask whether your pain pattern fits gallstones, a Crohn's flare, or another cause; whether blood tests or imaging are needed; and how gallstone treatment would fit with your bowel history and current medicines.