I have raised ggt levels. Was originally 280. I was a heavy drinker for years, bottle of wine around 4 days out of 7 but also lots of days off. After 3 months of not drinking my ggt reduces to 146 and after a further 6 months of not drinking it’s still at 147. Is it normal for it to stop decreasing? Should it have continued to decrease? Awaiting a Fibroscan, been waiting a year now! I don’t know how worried I should be that it’s not improving? I take no medication at all and am active and healthy otherwise other than consistent pain in my right side. Does anyone know if ggt ever reduces to normal or have I ruined my liver beyond repair? Thanks
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Lola109
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You need to speak to your medical professional. You shouldn’t be waiting that long for a Fibroscan. My consultant was concerned with me as my results were static
Thank you for your reply, I have asked the gp to do me a referral letter and I will just pay to go private but 3 weeks later and she’s still not done it. Can I ask if your static results did eventually improve? I don’t think the doctor believes I am not drinking so she’s not helping but I know I have and that it doesn’t help. Did you get to the bottom of yours?
I went to BMI priory, no referral required and £200!!! He also works for QE hospital in Birmingham so kindly referred me to his office there for ultrasound and CT scan etc so I didn’t have to pay! Couldn’t have worked out better. BMI are all over the U.K. so try your locals one x
No my levels are still static that’s after 8 months . The difference is I’ve had a Fibroscan in my case I need a transplant. You need to be referred to heptologist
Hi, mine took ages to reduce, and was still elevated slightly (20% over top of typical range) well over a year later. My consultant wasn't concerned when I met him yesterday, and discussed results in a lot of detail; it didn't even come up, everything else is within range. Other factors can elevate GGT. I don't want to speculate on what your values might indicate, but I can say that there is a great risk in taking one reading out of context, without considering the overall picture.
I also booked a private appointment (BMI), as mentioned by others here, £489 does sound expensive. I was an existing patient, and perhaps because of this wasn't asked for a referral letter. I'd be surprised if your GP hasn't provided one because they suspect you're still drinking, probably just very busy. Have you tried Livi? I used them when the GP was open as normal, pre-lockdown, and they sent one almost by return. Keep chasing!
Hi, I have elevated ggt. Mines 216, doctor told me it can be from anything from a virus alcohol or most commonly now fatty liver. Have you been for an ultrasound? They’re not retested my bloods as I had a liver condition during pregnancy so sent me for a scan I’m waiting for it to come through mine. I don’t drink a lot or didn’t think I did I’d have maybe a glass or two of wine a night maybe not even that! Sometimes a bottle on the weekend. So maybe it a lot but I’ve stopped drinking and started eating healthy because I wasn’t eating very healthy either. She told me if you have fat anywhere on the body it will sit on the liver, not sure how true it is.
I paid the £200 and got an ultrasound and CT with contrast after for the £200. Guess I got lucky that the consultant was also working for a local NHS hospital.
Are you taking any pain killers? My GGT has started decreasing again after 18 months of no alcohol or pain killers, so keep going it takes time and hard work. Good luck and stay safe
Idk if that was my problem. I was told to take ibuprofen 3 times a day for 14 days. One night I slept all way through without hearing my son crying first time in 3 years! I stopped taking them after I had my bloods done for something else and that flagged up. He accused me of heavy drinking and told me to stop drinking or I’ll die and I was really taken back as I didnt think I drank a lot. My own gp was furious with him 🙈
Hi, I haven’t taken any medication for over a year in ana attempt to get it down. Did yours stay at the same level for ages then after stopping alcohol and pain killers before it started decreasing? Thanks
Mine is decreasing but much much slower than what I thought. I also went private and it cost £210 and was worth every penny.He explained it can take anything up to 2yrs to fully return to normal levels. So much depends on other factors, meds, smoking, lifestyle but if it’s going down and other results are ok then that’s a good sign. Mine is still high but after drinking for over 25 years heavily it won’t reduce overnight. I am now on 6 monthly tests so all good.
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