How to Know If You Pass a Gallstone

A small organ located beneath the liver, the gallbladder collects and stores bile made by the liver. Bile assists in digestion by moving water and waste fats out of the body. Occasionally, bile crystallizes in the gallbladder, forming tiny stones made of salts, cholesterol and bilirubin (the pigment that gives bile its color). Most gallstones pass through the intestines with solid waste without any symptoms, while others, due to size, can get stuck in narrow sections of the digestive system, causing pain. Sifting your feces is the only sure way to tell if you have passed a gallstone.

Do not flush the toilet after you pass solid waste.

Place on protective latex gloves.

Lift the mass of feces into the old strainer.

Sift through the feces for small stones. These gallstones can be as small as the head of a pin or as large as a quarter. They may also be black, brown or dark green in color.

Rinse any stones you find an place in sealable container. Bring this container to your next medical appointment to confirm that the stones are gallstones.

Flush remaining fecal matter and dispose of latex gloves safely, away from children or pets.

Clean strainer with a bleach and water solution, and then wash your hands with soap and water.

Tips

Consult with your health care practitioner to determine your risk for, or presence of, gallstones. Risks include high-fat diets, being female or being overweight. Gallstones can be located with an ultrasound or a CT scan.

Warnings

Whether or not you expect to pass a gallstone, if you experience any pain, you should seek immediate medical care.

Do not use the strainer for any other purpose after you have used it to look for gallstones.