Hi gang, hope all as well as can be expected. Went in to discuss my blood tests today and interestingly all the tests done are in range: ALT,ALP, Bilirubin. I was expecting the full liver panel but looks like they didn't do it so no GGT,AST tests etc. My platelet levels which were low have now recovered and in range so that's a bit of good news-I was concerned about that as a possible indicator of portal hypertension. The other thing is that as of yesterday -my digestive system appeared to be normalizing-stools more normal colour-ish. Also, minimal brain fog-hardly anything and no Ataxia. Don't want to count my chickens here-the only thing the Dr said was your cholesterol is a bit high-but that's a whole different matter. My view is I should get the whole liver panel done-although at this point I'm not desperately anxious about it. Thoughts anyone?
Should I push for full liver panel? - British Liver Trust
Should I push for full liver panel?
Hi brick
Was it your GP or Consultant who requested the tests? If it was Consultant then I personally wouldn’t worry but if it was your GP I would be more wary.
I am not medically qualified at all and know nothing! So this is just my view 😀.
Anyway it sounds good so far 👍.
Good luck! I’m sure/hope you will keep us informed.
Miles
Hi Miles-it was the GP-I've never been referred higher than that. Yes I think I should ask for the full panel and explain why?-had it done 2 years ago and it showed raised GGT. But when GPs look at ALT levels and say your liver's fine -that does worry me as my ALT has always been in range and my liver definitely wasn't fine. In general though I'm feeling a lot better all of a sudden-almost certainly related to the digestive side. I have heard that ALD can resolve itself like that although I haven't been diagnosed with that-I suspect it's something like that...thanks as ever for your interest.
am I over posting Miles-let me know...
I don’t think so!
Cheers miles feel a bit if a fraud at the moment
Wonderful to hear that you are finally getting some relief!
thankyou Boot-think I'm on the up but being a bit cautious
Hi Bricco,
That's good news about your platelets, but I don't understand why they didn't do the full count.....they've got the blood, so why not......it's madness!!!!!
David
my thoughts exactly David -could be cost as I hear GGT costs more to test-not sure how true that is? It was a standard test in Italy that alerted me to GGT and fatty liver. In Italy they tests it as standard-seems to me we should do the same in the UK seeing as so many people have fatty liver for various reasons.
Hi bookcase, I don't know my ALT from my elbow. I do know that my GP concentrated on monitoring GGT to confirm my alcohol intake and then my abstainance in the first couple of months. I have to quote to explain from over 1538 to 267 in two months. It also helped me be more positive & confirmed I wasn't telling porkies.
Strange your GP hasn't requested GGT, having said that our practice are reluctant to offer any full range, penny pinching.
Dr Meanie, head of practice will only deal with one condition at a time.
I can confirm this from my wife's gastro issues that her Consultant & Dietician requested a range of bloods done within the community ie not Hospital. Head of practice refuses and infact didn't even know what some of the bloods were about. 🤔
Yes that sounds about right- btw I think I'll change my moniker to bookcase- briccolone is a bit of a mouthful....bricco as all you wine livers know is a ridge where all the best grapes are grown particularly in Piedmont.
And yet my ggt was 12 so they didn't believe my alcohol consumption was high. Half bottle of JD fire most nights for 3 years seems like a lot to me. I no longer have trust in ggt.
Strange, I would only have to sniff it for a result. Half bottle being 14 units, hollow legs & no leak?🤔
GGT is one of the liver enzymes that are usually restricted to the areas of the liver and some other organs but when there is some kind of liver disease, the levels of this enzyme increase because the enzyme starts to leak out of the liver into the bloodstream.
Shame the GP can't deliver. 🙄
I think I'm getting someone elses results personally
Ha could be - wish I was getting yours 😀
Hi Briccolane, think it's all about cost, GPs are put under pressure only to do minimal testing. My GP told me in so many words. I think it's appalling, it seems it doesn't matter that you may be worried or stressed. Maybe see another GP and voice your concerns. Best wishes 😊
I agree Lola I'll press a bit harder- it's good to see some improvement ng results but it's not the whole picture- thanks
So much under pressure that our practice has employed an in house pharmacist to penny pinch monitor our meds. Health of the practice or patients at a cost. 🤔👎
Many doctors in the USA won't do GGT unless you tell them about your drinking habbits. However, I have read GGT can go back to high normal after stopping alcohol but not sure if it will go to a lowish normal. I have wondered that because I have seen others post their results on FB and after 3 yrs. of being off alcohol their GGT is still up in the higher range.
yes same here but raised GGT can be caused by gallstones as well
Never had GGT test, what is it?
Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) is an enzyme found mainly in the liver. When the liver is injured or the flow of bile is obstructed, the concentration of GGT within the bloodstream rises. It is therefore a useful marker for detecting bile duct problems. which is what I think was happening but seems to be improving
Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) (normal range 80 to 100 fL).
The combination of elevated MCV and GGT has a 95% sensitivity for alcohol abuse.4 GGT levels become elevated after 24 hours to 2 weeks of heavy alcohol consumption and return to normal within 2 to 6 weeks of abstinence, which allows them to detect binge drinking. MCV takes 6 to 8 weeks of heavy drinking—we which we define as consuming ≥40 grams of alcohol/day5—to become elevated and returns to normal within 3 months of abstinence.
That's great information but i have seen many with low MCV with cirrhosis due to anemia, I never thought drinkers or ex-drinkers would have a low MCV, saw a couple of people with levels in the 70 range (80-100,) but they were sober for 6 months or more. I thought that level hung on the high side of normal like GGT but guess I was wrong.
yep mine was 100-which then reduced to 95 after 3 + months alcohol free and is now 98 and 4+ months alcohol free....interesting isn't it?
Very much so. What shocked me my Consultant ordered full bloods in Apr2019 for diagnosis in conjunction with Fibro, US & endo but didn't want any more bloods Feb2020. I was expecting a recount and moreso to see were I'm at. Surprise statement being 150 GGT would be normal for me. He must be psychic. 😜
HI there-hope you're well-Think I'm in the same camp as you judging by my recent blood tests which I've just posted on -GGT 131 -everything else ok
Very interesting reading indeed Ofeck!👍
I'm probably repeating myself but when I first was made aware of high GGT about 7 years ago when I first joined this forum...I stopped drinking and all hell broke loose.... It was 180 then and took about 4 months to get to about 160 and at that point I was asymptomatic-and U/s clear but I must have had fatty liver at some level....
It was all down to my self medication there's no doubt about that.
Sorry say again. 🙄
Here's a head melter. Fatty liver can lead to cirrhosis. But can my cirrhosis get fat?
Hi
My GGT has been high in and off but as you know mine was caused by meds so I'm wondering what else can cause GGT to go up . ?
Elevated GGT levels can indicate numerous serious health conditions, especially cholestastic, or blocked, liver disease, hepatitis, liver scarring or a tumor. GGT is particularly sensitive to alcohol, and it is elevated in alcoholism and the use of medications and drugs, which have to be processed by your liver.
Smoking may also increase GGT concentrations. Levels of GGT increase with age in women, but not in men, and are always somewhat higher in men than in women. Several drugs increase (induce) the concentration of GGT in the blood. The increases do not indicate damage to the liver.
Thank you, so it could be my meds that have caused it cause I do try and exercise and I am eating healthily, I've got the food police here as in Dave , my sons and girlfriends on my case!! I know it's cause they care . My eldest will say, now behave re food but then I start to laugh cos I feel like a kid but then he says I'm being serious!! I do know they all care as do the rest of my family and friends and everyone on here, ok I've gone off in a tangent,!!
Please give your wife a hug from me.
Usual for me!! Take care Lynne
Useful stuff ggt Meister. In my case always knew when my ggt was normalizing by my digestive system i.e stool colour . When that was normalish my ggt weren't too bad so bike ducts definitely. I've had gallstones as well which self resolved.
Bike ducts lol. ..,bile
(GGT) is an enzyme that is present in the kidney, liver, spleen, gallbladder, and pancreas. However, this enzyme in blood mainly comes from the liver.
Bike duck quacker🙄
Speaking of 💩 no more issues since refraining from Guinness & the rest.😜
hehe you're a wag....
GGT is also elevated in heart failure.
What should I ask consultant 
Should I chase this?
Could I already be beyond help with my liver problems?
Should I be worried!
