How serious is high GGT?

[mrcerec]

HI,

Recently had a blood test (for psa!) and it showed I had a GGT of 221. Slightly low testosterone. Abstained from alcohol for 4 weeks, had an ultrasound - all clear. Started drinking again (not as heavily) then had another blood test -196. Gp is not sure what to do. She suggests anothertest in 4 weeks. I think that's too soon - I feel 2 months - and I will abstain for all of the 2 months. BP is on the high side - no meds yet. Training for a Marathon in September - but I am 2 stone overweight.

My main point is - how serious is elevated GGT?

[Kristian]

Hi mrcerec

If you click on the link below it will take you to the British Liver Trust page that explains the various blood tests for Liver disease.

britishlivertrust.org.uk/li...

In specific answer though isolated elevations of any one test tend to not flag too much up. There are usually protocols to what do next. In the first instance its just to repeat the test in a few weeks to see if it is still elevated, rising or falling and to possibly get a bit more info on potential causes. Do be aware that as with many liver function tests they can be quite sensitive and it may not take too much for them to become elevated. They are also only part of a bigger picture. Diagnosis of most things liver wise tends to rely on a number of things. So if there is only one elevated and you are having few, if any, other symptoms then that's usually a good sign that it may be something more simple and mundane or in the very early stages. If your levels are still raised or rising next time you go, and 4 weeks is plenty of time to see any changes, then your GP may suggest you go and have an ultrasound just to check on what the liver looks like. I suspect at this stage it'll probably only pick up if its enlarged or not or whether there is much accumulation of fat inside. But its a helpful look. If your levels are still dropping then they may not do anything but maybe look again in a few months. Either is possible.

Keep up your training for the marathon and good luck with it. If your elevated GGT is down to fatty deposits in the liver then keeping fit and active and losing that little bit of weight will be a great help with that anyway. Indeed, it will for any liver disease.

Good luck and have fun.