Hi
I have been trying to get my gamma reading down. I have fully kept off drink this time and avoided any painkillers ect.
My cholesterol is higher than most which I am retested for regularly. My question is could a high cholesterol affect the gamma?? I am trying to work out what’s going on. Dr doesn’t seem bothered but I just feel that he has just put it down to drink and not looking at anything else?
Any advice would be highly appreciated
I'm not sure if cholesterol can impact the liver directly, but check out BLT's resources on NAFLD (stands for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease). NAFLD is quite common in the USA, and probably in the UK and other western nations too. It is most common in those who are overweight or obese, and these people also tend to have high cholesterol.
I think a lot of the things that cause high cholesterol (foods, sedentary lifestyle) also tend to cause fatty liver, and there may be a more direct cause too.
If you are at a healthy weight and exercise regularly, your doctor may not suspect that you have NAFLD, and as a result he/she thinks it's mainly the alcohol causing GGT elevations.
Thanks for replying I have asked for a call back from doctor.I’m not overweight but I have only drank around 5 drinks since Nov and none for a month prior to test. Everything I’ve read says it should reduce in a few weeks without alcohol
When was your test, and how high was your GGT at your most recent test vs. previously?
November last year 125 then I did a private test last month which was 110 then results today 125 again? However my alt brilliant now as down to 44
I think it's normal for levels to fluctuate a little, so it could be that 125 and 110 are just due to natural variation in the human body. Good to hear about the ALT. 44 sounds pretty normal, or at worst, negligibly elevated. What was your ALT back in November or last month?
Also, how much were you drinking prior to November?
So every single night for the last 30 years 2 Bacardi’s after work, maybe 3 or 4 at weekends. A stupid habit that just stuck. I just rewarded myself after a day at work. My alt was at the highest 127 in Nov then 87 in jan then 44 this week
That is fantastic that your ALT is coming down. Your liver may have been just a little irritated from years of drinking, and now your ALT is pretty much normal. I would just keep your alcohol intake low going forward.
I am actually in a similar boat as you. I drank about the same amount as you on a weekly basis for a while, had elevated AST and ALT, and normal ultrasound. Going for a follow up test soon, after 2 months of no alcohol at all (following much reduced drinking for a while). I hope to have the same kind of result you've gotten!
Well done you. It’s crazy isn’t it as I can’t say I have missed it and would never drink every night again.My ultrasound was also normal and I have had to ask for the bloods repeat plus purchasing my own one.
I just can’t fathom why the ggt is not reducing?
I have high cholesterol and have done for a number of years so just wondered. If could possibly be a link.
What’s your ggt? Was it high alongside ast and alt?
They never tested my GGT. It doesn't seem to be part of the metabolic panel in the USA as often. They do AST, ALT, and ALP. My ALP was normal and not borderline, and AST was less elevated than ALT. My ALT has ranged between 65 and 85, and AST between 45 and 70.
The other thing you might consider is taking a look at your diet. Even if it is not the main cause of your GGT being elevated, it will never hurt to reduce your intake of unhealthy fats, preservatives, and added sugar, or to add fruits and vegetables (if you aren't getting enough). Same can be said for exercise if you aren't getting enough. This may help with your cholesterol too.
Yes I am trying to exercise more than previously. Hopefully we will both have happy outcomes. Let me know how u get on
Just a thought without scaring you but ggt can also indicate heart issues if the liver has been ruled, but simply being too heavy and genetics can cause elevated Ggt. Stick with the reduced/ no alcohol routine and a healthy diet and exercise routine and you should do well.
Thanks. I’m not drinking anything for 3 months and will retest in June. That way I will know for sure as I would have only a fully clean 3 months.Thanks for heads up re heart I will mention that if not reduced
Good plan. I had two months total abstinence and my ggt tripled so they totally ruled out alcohol as a cause but said it could be weight/menopause or just genetics, and that it can fluctuate quite dramatically. If other enzymes are within range it’s a marker for something other than the liver and could even be chronic inflammation elsewhere in the body. Good luck with everything x
Interesting about menopause as I am 50 so that could also be a factor. As it’s not included on standard liver testing I don’t have a base figure to compare so really don’t know.I’m sure it will sort itself out.
Happy Easter x
Same to you. Are you in the uk or usa?
Uk
Living with CESD (Cholesterol Ester Storage Disease) 
High cholesterol and ALT
High Gamma Due to Alcohol
Done a home liver blood test 
If the dr doesn’t see fatty liver on scan then is it still fatty liver? 
