Signs Your Gallbladder Isn’t Working Properly

Is Your Gallbladder Working Properly
(Even Without Gallstones)?

Most people only think about their gallbladder when they have gallstones or need surgery—but you don’t have to have stones to have gallbladder dysfunction. A sluggish, congested, or underperforming gallbladder can cause a range of digestive issues, hormonal imbalances, and even skin problems—and many people don’t realize their gallbladder is struggling until it’s too late.

At Intentional Wellness, Inc., I take a functional medicine approach to gallbladder health, helping clients identify early warning signs of gallbladder dysfunction and support bile flow naturally to improve digestion and overall well-being.

 

What Does the Gallbladder Do?

The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ located under the liver. It stores and releases bile, a digestive fluid produced by the liver that helps break down fats and absorb fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K).

When functioning properly, the gallbladder:
✔️ Stores bile between meals
✔️ Releases bile when you eat fat, aiding digestion
✔️ Helps eliminate toxins from the body
✔️ Supports hormone balance by aiding in estrogen detoxification

If the gallbladder isn’t working well, bile flow slows down, leading to digestive discomfort, poor fat absorption, and even hormone imbalances.

 

Signs Your Gallbladder is Dysfunctional
(Even Without Gallstones)

Gallbladder dysfunction doesn’t always involve gallstones. A sluggish or underactive gallbladder can cause a variety of symptoms that are often overlooked or misdiagnosed.

🔹 Digestive Issues (Especially After Eating Fatty Foods)

• Do you feel bloated, nauseous, or gassy after eating fatty meals?
• Do you get stomach pain, cramping, or discomfort in your upper right abdomen?

A sluggish gallbladder struggles to release enough bile to properly digest fats, leading to bloating, discomfort, and incomplete digestion.

🔹 Floating, Pale, or Greasy Stools

• Healthy digestion should produce well-formed, medium-brown stools that sink.
• If stools are pale, clay-colored, greasy, or floating, it may indicate poor bile flow and fat malabsorption.

Bile gives stool its normal brown color—so changes in stool color or consistency can be an early warning sign of gallbladder issues.

🔹 Unexplained Nausea or Vomiting

• Do you feel nauseous after meals, even when you don’t eat much?
• Does eating rich, fatty, or fried foods make you feel sick?

Nausea and vomiting can be a sign of bile flow issues or gallbladder dysfunction, even in the absence of gallstones.

🔹 Pain Between Shoulder Blades or Under the Right Rib Cage

• A dull ache or tightness in your right upper abdomen could indicate gallbladder dysfunction.
• Pain between the shoulder blades is a common symptom of bile backup and gallbladder stress.

This type of pain is often dismissed as muscle tension, but it can actually be a sign that the gallbladder is struggling to release bile properly.

🔹 Feeling Full Quickly or Loss of Appetite

• Do you feel full after just a few bites of food?
• Does eating even small meals leave you uncomfortable?

A sluggish gallbladder slows digestion, causing food to sit in the stomach longer and leading to a feeling of fullness and discomfort.

🔹 Hormonal Imbalances and Estrogen Dominance

• Do you experience PMS, heavy periods, or hormonal acne?
• Have you been diagnosed with estrogen dominance, fibroids, or endometriosis?

The gallbladder helps the liver remove excess estrogen from the body. When bile flow is slow, estrogen can recirculate, leading to imbalances.

🔹 Chronic Fatigue or Brain Fog

• Do you feel drained, sluggish, or mentally foggy?
• Do you wake up feeling exhausted, even after a full night’s sleep?

Poor bile flow and fat malabsorption can lead to nutrient deficiencies, affecting energy levels and brain function.

🔹 Skin Issues Like Acne, Eczema, or Itching

• Are you struggling with persistent acne or skin rashes?
• Do you have dry, itchy skin or bumps on the backs of your arms?

Bile plays a role in removing toxins from the body. When the gallbladder isn’t functioning well, toxins can build up, leading to skin problems and inflammation.

Why Gallbladder Dysfunction is Often Overlooked

Many people don’t realize their gallbladder is struggling until they develop gallstones or have it removed. The problem? Surgical removal doesn’t always fix the underlying issue.

🔹 Standard Tests May Not Detect Gallbladder Dysfunction

• Many doctors only check for gallstones or infections, but a sluggish gallbladder can cause problems without forming stones.
• Ultrasounds and scans may appear “normal,” even when bile flow is slow.

🔹 Symptoms Are Often Misdiagnosed

• Digestive issues may be blamed on acid reflux, IBS, or food sensitivities.
• Hormonal imbalances may be treated with birth control or hormone therapy instead of addressing poor bile flow.

A functional medicine approach looks beyond gallstones, focusing on how well the gallbladder is actually functioning and supporting bile flow naturally.

How to Support Your Gallbladder Naturally

If you suspect gallbladder dysfunction, there are natural ways to improve bile flow and support digestion.

🔹 Eat a Gallbladder-Friendly Diet

• Focus on healthy fats like avocados, olive oil, and nuts to encourage bile production.
• Eat fiber-rich foods (vegetables, fruits, flaxseeds) to promote bile flow.
• Avoid fried foods, processed oils, and sugar, which slow bile production.

🔹 Support Bile Flow with Key Nutrients

• Choline (found in eggs and liver) helps keep bile thin and flowing.
• Bitter foods (arugula, dandelion greens, lemon) stimulate bile production.
• Ox bile supplements can help replace missing bile if digestion is impaired.

🔹 Stay Hydrated and Manage Stress

• Dehydration thickens bile, making it harder to flow.
• Chronic stress affects digestion and can slow gallbladder function.

🔹 Consider Functional Testing

If you suspect gallbladder dysfunction, advanced testing (like bile acid markers or a functional stool test) can provide a clearer picture of gallbladder function.

Take Charge of Your Gallbladder Health
Before It’s Too Late

A dysfunctional gallbladder can affect digestion, hormones, detoxification, and energy levels—even without gallstones. The earlier you catch the signs, the easier it is to restore function naturally.

At Intentional Wellness, Inc., I help clients:

✔️ Identify gallbladder dysfunction before it leads to gallstones or surgery.
✔️ Create a customized nutrition and lifestyle plan to improve bile flow.
✔️ Support digestion and hormone balance naturally.

🚀 Struggling with digestive issues or hormone imbalances? Let’s uncover the root cause. Schedule a consultation today!