Can I still lower GGT?

[SoScared123]

Hello, I’m new here. And I have been diagnosed with Fatty Liver about 6 years back. But really didn’t pay much attention since I was only 25 years old that time and felt invincible. No follow ups as well. This week I applied for a Life Insurance which required blood work and my ALT was slightly elevated by my GGT is skyrocketing at 171. I’m 31 now and extremely nervous. I will arrange a visit and lab works with my PCP this week. I already started eating healthy and exercising. I have lived a sedentary lifestyle my whole life. I have a 3 year old and I don’t want her to grow up without a mother. :((( all this to say, is 171 extremely high and suggest extensive liver damage? I understand I would need a biopsy or fibroscan to actually know. But a little more knowledge for me will be very beneficial. Thank you!

[SoScared123]

Also to add, I don’t drink alcohol, not over weight, just 115 lbs. just very sedentary lifestyle and don’t eat healthy at all.

[nash2 Partner]

Hi So

It is important to understand what is actually causing the problem. You are young so not typical though more younger people are developing the problem all the time. GGT elevates quickest with damage to the bile ducts which is different than typical fatty liver. You should be sure your doc is thinking that through. In general liver blood values can fluctuate quite a bit for a variety of reasons so working with a liver specialist your best bet if you can.

Here is a link to a brief discussion. Note 171 is not extremely high in the Mayo lab at least.

mayocliniclabs.com/test-cat...

Wayne

[SoScared123 in reply to nash2]

Thank you Wayne. I will discuss being referred to a Hepatologist with my PCP once I see him. Here’s to hoping it’s Fatty Liver and nothing else very serious, as my LDL and total Cholesterol are also high which supports it. My anxiety is through the roof. Thank you!

[nash2 Partner in reply to SoScared123]

Hi SoScared

A degree of anxiety is appropriate but maybe I can give you some perspective. I can't speak to your specific condition but most liver diseases progress slowly so most people face a chronic condition which is unfortunate but also it means you probably have time to respond. Many of us first learn of this disease with a diagnosis of cirrhosis and even for us we usually have years to deal with it. Try to relax a bit because it is important to learn about your situation calmly. Fear is the mind killer and you want to have your wits about you when you talk with the doctor.

Here is a patient story that might help you. It might help you measure your challenge against what some others experience.

fattyliverfoundation.org/me...

Wayne

[Alterity]

36 years ago, I was 28, the doctors took out my gallbladder and in the report it said fatty liver. No one told me and back then no one knew what that was. Many Family Dr. still do not know much about Fatty Liver or Nash. When I was 45 I was diagnosed with NASH and today at 64, my liver is very hard with cirrhosis. I am over weight and have lost 60 pounds since I was diagnosed, but it's not enough. I'm in the research program now. Life your life, but watch what you eat and do and get a good Specialist.

[SoScared123 in reply to Alterity]

Thank you for sharing Alterity! Your timeline eased my mind a little bit, knowing it’s a slow progress and hopefully I still have a chance to correct it. Good luck on the research program and thank you for being part of it to further our doctors knowledge about our liver!

[Belgium22]

I have PBC and my Ggt was 450. According fibroscan and biopsy liver was not damaged. Fibroscan 5,2. Think you dont have to worry about 171.. i am 10 month on Urso ggt dropped to 77.