Hello,The GP surgery phoned up yesterday just a day after I had an LTF. Apparently my GGT was 110 though the ATL only 29. Why would this be? I have cut back in the last six months (used to drink 25 units a week) but admit I did drink quite a bit of wine in December, Xmas etc. I also ate more sugars and fats (mince pies, chocs, chips). I am 60+.
Can GGT soar due to three weeks of heavier drinking? Why wouldn't ATL be higher (mine is usually 40 to 45). Should add that I have taken phenobarbital for over 40 years and understand it can affect the liver. This is for epilepsy and non negotiable, as nothing else works. I am having another LTF in a month and had been doing dry January. I don't have any liver issue symptoms. I know you are not doctors but from personal experience and research, do you think I can fix this? Thanks.
Written by
Redgasworks1
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
GGT is a highly sensitive liver inflammation marker and has probably risen in response to your drink and rich living over the festive period. Hopefully after dry January you'll find levels have dropped ................. if they have then it's time to consider not just dropping down your alcohol intake but perhaps cutting it out altogether since the cycle of inflammation, healing, inflammation, healing can't go on forever and eventually the inflammation can lead to fatty liver, fibrosis and cirrhosis particularly in light of the fact you have other risk factors in your long term medication.
Thanks Katie, helpful advice. All the rest of my LTF markers were in normal range, so the GP surgery apparently wondered about this. My former surgery in England never tested me for GGT, only the others, but it seems this is done in Scotland
It can be elevated in fatty liver and many other liver conditions but is commonly looked at as regards alcohol intake. It's probably more sensitive than ALT, AST and more liver specific. So, your relatively short spell of extra drink, extra unhealthy foods etc. is probably why it's up a bit.
GGT can be raised for reasons other than alcohol, mine is currently 161 and has been much higher in the past 20 years, no reason ever found despite all the tests, scans and biopsies available and I don’t ever drink alcohol.
Yes I have reading that. Maybe that is why many LTFs don't include GGT, at least not in England. I have been reading that some specialists think it is not a good guide to liver disease, unless any other biomarker is high. I moved to Scotland last year and my test did include GGT (I guess the test is different). I usually have them once a year due to the phenobarbital.
However, I can't deny I was overdoing both sweet foods and alcohol in December ....
Hi there.My ggt is still high at last bloods,it was really high when drinking alcohol.its never returned to 'normal levels '. But I've not touched alcohol in 4 years.......there are other reasons for ggt being raised, my gastro consultant seems to think its my pain killer for my sciatica ,don't always think its drink related.
Hi Chris. Interesting. Would you mind giving the approximate GGT numbers when drinking and now? If you'd rather not give that information, no problem. I am just a bit freaked out because, having not had a test for GGT in 15 years in England, I have nothing to compare this with.
Yes ,fine.4 years ago ggt was approximately 950...at that point all alcohol was stopped, and stayed stopped. So 4 years abstinence. Ggt is at my last bloods, 3 month ago,was 395,so alot lower,but nowhere near 'normal ' levels......gastro consultant isn't to concerned, as she realiises i have to take some pain killers ,on an as I need it basis,for my sciatica. Having cirrhosis, we are very restricted with what pain killers we are allowed. .
Hi Chris, sorry to interrupt, but just wondered what painkillers you take that may be affecting your GGT readings. I had deranged LFT readings about 18 months ago, eventually put down to statins. Readings now stable, but GGT still going up and down between 100 and 300. I take painkillers for DDD and wonder if connected. Best wishes x
Hi...obviously I can only speak for myself....I'm not a medic....I'm prescribed nefopam...for sciatica. Consultant seems ok with it....I certainly need something at times,the pain can get unbearable at times.always speak with your own medical team to clarify things.My best.chris
i had sciatica and was given exercises from the hospital .these didnt work and was recomended some from a sports practioner and these worked in a week .£30£well spent .if you want ican send you these.
Hi...thanks for that,good of ya. At least you understand where I'm coming from!!But I saw my musculoskeletal physio,before Xmas....and he didn't want me to continue any type of physio exercises, although I must admit the vast majority don't help to much with the amount of pain I can be in....I still do my walking of 2-3miles aday. I force myself somedays. He was putting me forward for an mri scan,I've had several. Basically my left disc has had it....heavy manual work for over 30 years!!!. Now I'm certainly paying the price.....
Only trouble is,your so restricted what pain killers you can have with cirrhosis. I've only just had a ct scan!!!!.
Hi Redgasworks1, I would just say that GGT is usually high if your liver isn't happy. Things like alcohol and medications or any other strain on it can set it off. It's where there's inflammation of the liver for some reason. It seems to be a better marker than others in these situations.
Thanks, Terricotta. As I said, I had cut back on wine for some months, but overdid it in December with sugary food and definitely too much wine. The hard thing for me is GGT wasn't tested for years in England, though I was fine on the other LFT scores. Then I moved to Scotland, first LFT here and it is different, tests GGT. So I don't have anything to compare it with.
For sure my liver is not happy. I don't know how much is the essential long term phenobarbital use, how much alcohol. Off all booze in January, will have another LFT done on February 1. Let's hope the GGT is down. 🤞
hi there , my husbands is a whopping 1400 and his ALP is 414. He doesn’t drink, the liver specialist is scratching his head but saying it could be something to do with his bile duct as he has gall stones but they don’t bother him
Thanks. I know there are other reasons for an elevated GGT. Just hope I can lower it this month, by not drinking. But yes, it could be something else. I had my gall bladder removed years ago, so maybe my bile duct is involved too. Hope they can find the cause of your husband's high numbers.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
GGT should I be worried
HIGH GGT A D NORMAL ULTRASOUND 
Ggt not reducing after quitting alcohol
Very high GGT ALP AST ALT
GGT level 940 
