
What Causes Bloating, Diarrhea And Stomach Cramps Despite A Normal Blood Work?

Ultrasound is strongly recommended.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for the query.
If someone says that gallstones can be diagnosed with blood work, it simply means that this person has no idea what gallstones are. Gallstones can give any abnormal blood work only in case of bile ducts obstruction or gallbladder inflammation. Otherwise, blood work can be perfectly normal.
So abdominal ultrasound is almost the first test which you should have done. Even before colonoscopy and stool tests.
In my opinion, you should also have gastroscopy done to rule out celiac disease.
If the symptoms have started after an antibiotic usage or travel abroad, small intestine bacterial overgrowth can be the reason. In such case, you should try Rifaximine treatment.
Hope this helps.
Regards.


I am hoping that it is my gallbladder, but also wondering how common this is in the population.
Gastrologist consultation is the right decision.
Detailed Answer:
Gastroenterologist consult is the right choice. Probiotic is sometimes not enough for intestinal bacteria overgrowth. So please try to discuss Rifaximine treatment with gastro doctor. And of course have abdominal ultrasound done. Gallstones are very common disease. We assume that gallstones can have 15-20 % of all people. Gallbladder removal surgery is the most common surgery in the world.

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