blood test

[buddymac48]

asked for a copy of my blood test, so I can keep track of it ,the ones that concern me is gamma-glutaml level 191u/l high

serum alanine aminotransferase level39 u/l high

alkaline phosphatase=124 u/l high

any one understand these.

[MisterX]

Difficult to know what those mean in isolation - doctors usually want to look at a period and take other issues into account.

Different labs have different ranges for normal depending on how the test is run - so without knowing what the lab normal ranges are it's difficult to say.

The ALT looks like it may only be very slightly high as that's often a normal number.

The same may go for the ALP.

The GGT is possibly on the high side though.

A rise in GGT alone is not usually something that requires further investigation.

Usually IF the ALP and GGT are high - that indicates a possible biliary problem - but in your case those numbers may be quite close to normal.

Sorry can't be of more assistance.

What did your doctor make of the numbers?

[buddymac48 in reply to MisterX]

just asked me if I had been drinking, I don't drink wish I did then I might be able to sort it out. as I have said iam trying to lose some weight so not sure if the fatty liver or gallstones are the problem.

[Bolly]

My lab has ALT normal range as 10-50 and ALP normal range as 30-130, so if those were my results I would not be concerned, in fact I would be delighted!

My lab has normal GGT as 5-40iu/L but you give yours in u/L so I can't compare.

[buddymac48]

thank you I wish you could have results you could be happy with, but when the Doctor always asks me if I have been drinking and on the results some say high iam not sure how worried I should be. But thank you for your reply its appreciated

[MisterX in reply to buddymac48]

It's probably the GGT number that's triggering that - there's a bit of an association between GGT and alcohol if other results are raised. By itself a raised GGT isn't all that diagnostic and may not mean very much doctors usually ignore it if it's the only enzyme raised.

If fatty liver is where your focus is then you should keep a food diary and exercise chart. Whilst I appreciate you've been making an effort to lose weight and exercise you have to be careful not to lose weight too quickly (as ironically that will cause fat to infiltrate the liver).

Also it's pretty easy to think you're eating less or better when overall you're not - I know I do it quite often. The only way to be sure is to have it down in black and white - i.e. weigh what you eat and log it down. Then review every few days - it will show you where you may be slipping if you are.

[buddymac48 in reply to MisterX]

Thank you for advice, I will keep a daily log of food and exercise.

[briccolone in reply to buddymac48]

hi,

for comparison my GGT levels when first tested were 185=this after years of excessive drinking-also a bit overweight. They actually raised to 215 when I did a fasting diet (5:2) but after 3 months of abstinence got them down to 163. also lost 10kgs.

there is a link between ggt raised and fatty liver-agree with the others about doctors not getting worked up but I think they should show more attention as there are links etween high choleseterol high GGT and increased risk of heart attack. do you have any symptoms? I had all sorts of digestive issues with raised ggt such as pale stools etc. this all cleared up when the ggt levels dropped so is biliary related. are you on statins? this could also raise ggt. may be worth a scan for gallstones.

keep us posted

[buddymac48 in reply to briccolone]

I do have Gallstones, and trying to lose weight.

[briccolone in reply to buddymac48]

ok makes sense-try and avoid fatty foods-if it's a continuing problem the gallstones could be treated