High GGT levels: Hi,I'm a 37 year old... - British Liver Trust

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High GGT levels

Green49704 profile image
11 Replies

Hi,I'm a 37 year old healthy (other than mild ulcerative colitis), not overweight male. I have just had my yearly medical check and was alerted that my GGT level is too high (67). My AST, ALT and Bilirubin levels are all normal. I do like to have several beers a week and I was on a 2 weeks holiday last month where I drank beer every day.

Any reason what could be causing this high level as I'm very worried!

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Green49704 profile image
Green49704
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11 Replies
AyrshireK profile image
AyrshireK

GGT is probably the most sensitive of the liver inflammation markers and that's most likely why it's raised and others arn't. At 67 it's not crazy high - doctors only get concerned when these figures get to 3 to 4 times upper limit of normal - not the few points over that yours are.

It's probably the result of the little bit of over indulgence on your holidays or maybe a little bit too much weekly. Maybe reduce your alcohol intake for a bit and get bloods retested after a couple of months.

Katie

Green49704 profile image
Green49704 in reply toAyrshireK

Thank you!

redpoint72 profile image
redpoint72

Morning fella.I wouldn't be to concerned by a ggt level of 67.

Ive been abstinent for just over 4 years now.....and mine is still in the 300's.....

I'm under a new hepatologist now.....she wants to have a consultation with myself, regarding the medications I have to take,to see if anything can be altered medication wise,as these can also affect ggt levels......not just alcohol!!!.

My best .Chris

bantam12 profile image
bantam12

Are you taking any meds for your UC ? my GGT is always up in the hundreds and docs have come to the conclusion it’s probably related to the Asacol I’m on for UC.

As others have said your level is only slightly over so something to watch but not panic over. Mine is currently around 300 !

AyrshireK profile image
AyrshireK

If it were to rise significantly or other bloods go out of whack then it'll need follow up. With Ulcerative Colitis there is an auto immune liver condition called Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC) that can sometimes go hand in hand with UC. I am in no way suggesting this is an issue or indicated in your very minimal GGT rise just now but something to be kept in mind if you were to start developing issues.

Katie

Green49704 profile image
Green49704

Thanks everyone! No I don't take any medication for my UC, I haven't had a flare up in a long time

My ggt was 528 last year it was 79 just after Christmas.

My GGT was 400-500 like 6 years ago.. Normal now. 67 is child's play. lol

Fibro2021 profile image
Fibro2021

Serum gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) may increases more because ethanol induces this enzyme than because patients have cholestasis or liver damage or are taking other medications. Thus, it may be a marker of alcohol consumption in the days leading up to the blood test. Checking this is quite simple, you need to recheck the test for GGT completely refraining from drinking alcohol for two weeks before taking a blood sample. If GGT will be still higher than normal, then we need to look for other possible reasons for the increase in its level in the blood.

UPD: The half-life of GGT is on average about three days.

Green49704 profile image
Green49704

Thanks everyone that's put my mind at ease slightly!

Harting profile image
Harting

Really don't stress too much about that level of GGT.

In the last 8 days I've spent 5 nights in hospital and my test result from the early hours of this morning was 791 iu/L for GGT - last April I was 2,086 iu/L.

Bilirubin is now at 29 µmol/L which is just ot of range.

Don't sweat over it 👍

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