normal ultrasound/raised GGT

[Luzajo]

As in my previous post my GGT was over 200 recently, My GP said to cut out alcohol and get it checked in 12 weeks, as I had pain on my right side he requested an ultrasound scan. I got fed up waiting so I've just paid for one this morning in a private scan clinic as I was worrying about my liver health. My Mum died in 2015 with liver cirrhosis, not alcohol related. Anyway the scan did not show any signs of fatty liver or any signs of problems, nothing either with kidneys/spleen/pancreas/gallbladder. I'm just wondering is an ultrasound scan a good indication of liver damage or not? Should I still be worried. I don't drink a lot but I do intend to cut it out and get retested. My GGT has been high before but never over 100, but in the past it didnt really go down much even with abstinence.

[Kristian]

GGT is a pretty common thing to see raised. It's a pretty sensitive beastie by all accounts. Usually a retest is ordered before much further follow up and only if its consistently raised would it be warranted. Just be careful if you take any anti inflammatory meds too. Things like ibuprofen and even aspirin can affect production of ggt. So if you take those for headaches or joint or muscle pain, then ease off those too before your next test.In terms of your ultrasound scan, I'd take those results as reassuring. By all means though take those to your doctor next time you see them to get things confirmed.

[Luzajo]

Thanks for the advice. I was speaking to my sister and she remembers being told in the past that she has fatty liver disease but she is positive she never had an ultrasound scan. She never enquired anymore about it with her GP. She never touches alcohol. Now I'm wondering how the GP was able to diagnose this then.