Dairy before a gallbladder ultrasound -oops

November 19, 2015 5:43 AM

I forgot that I wasn't supposed to have dairy the day of my gallbladder ultrasound and had milk on my cereal and coffee, about 1/2 cup. My test is at 7:00 pm -did I completely ruin my chances of a good scan? Should I reschedule?
posted by Biblio to Health & Fitness (8 answers total)

Call your provider and ask.
posted by leslies at 5:50 AM on November 19, 2015 [2 favorites]

Actually, I'd call the radiology office where you're planning to have the test rather than the doctor who ordered it--they can ask the radiologists who will be interpreting it.
posted by The Elusive Architeuthis at 7:29 AM on November 19, 2015 [5 favorites]

Huh; I don't think they told me that when I had my gallbladder ultrasound.

So yes, do call, but it may not be a universal mandate (especially if they're looking for something specific).
posted by St. Hubbins at 8:44 AM on November 19, 2015

It sez here that dairy products cause the gall bladder to contract, making it difficult to view. Other sources (Google "gallbladder ultrasound dairy") mention no dairy, or fatty food, the day before an exam, and no food at all the day of. So call them, but I think you are looking at a do-over.
posted by beagle at 8:55 AM on November 19, 2015

Best answer: Hi, I'm a sonographer, and scan gallbladders all the time. As long as you haven't eaten anything for 7-8 hours before your test, it doesn't really matter what you ate before that. If you want to check about your particular test, yes, call the imaging department where you're going, not your provider. I think you'll be fine to have the test done, though.
posted by dorey_oh at 10:35 AM on November 19, 2015

Response by poster: It took me forever to get through to radiology but finally got a technician to tell me to stop eating right that moment so I could come in tonight.
posted by Biblio at 11:12 AM on November 19, 2015 [1 favorite]

Before my scan, I looked up some guidelines online, and apparently in the UK they recommend patients take Beano/Gas-x/simethicone beforehand. It reduces gas in the intestine, which helps get a better view of the gallbladder. So I did that. My technician said she said she got a great scan on me.
posted by 100kb at 11:54 AM on November 19, 2015

Response by poster: Apparently they got a great look after all, because now we know my gallbladder is fine, but I have fatty liver.
Thanks everyone!
posted by Biblio at 10:41 AM on November 28, 2015