Risk factors for Gallstones

These factors increase your chance of developing gallstones. Tell your doctor if you have any of these risk factors:

• Age: older than 60 years old
• Sex:
  • Women between 20-60 years old and
  • Women with high estrogen levels due to pregnancy, oral contraceptive use, or hormone replacement therapy
• Obesity
• Race: Pima Indians and other Native Americans, Mexican Americans, and Northern Europeans
• Use of cholesterol-lowering drugs
• Diabetes
• Rapid weight loss and fasting
• Previous gallstones
• Diseases of the gallbladder and ducts
• Blood diseases, including sickle cell anemia