iU/L. vs U/L

[Kobe1000]

What is 300 iU/L in U/L ?

Thank you

[nash2 Partner]

The enzyme unit (U) is a unit for the amount of a particular enzyme. One U is defined as the amount of the enzyme that produces a certain amount of enzymatic activity, that is, the amount that catalyzes the conversion of 1 micro mole of substrate per minute.

The enzyme unit (U) should not be confused with the International unit In pharmacology, the international unit is a unit of measurement for the amount of a substance; the mass or volume that constitutes one international unit varies based on which substance is being measured, and the variance is based on the biological activity or effect. and depends on what substance is being measured so conversion between units is complicated and most people don't pursue it.

[Kobe1000 in reply to nash2]

So a reading of 300 GGT is the same

iU/l international and U/L usa ?

Or am I totally off base as I don’t really understand it

Thank you

[nash2 Partner in reply to Kobe1000]

iUL is the normal reporting for GGT. It measures a specific amount of enzyme activity. UL is a value specific to a lab so it can vary depending upon who does the test. That makes conversion complicated. The iUL is used because it is standardized and makes analysis easier. The 300 is elevated and that is the important thing to be talking with your doctor about.

[Kobe1000 in reply to nash2]

Thank you for taking the time to answer .I go for another test next week All my other liver levels were on point .

Not sure what to make of this

My ggt has bounced around before .I was at a party the night before the test and drank a little to much 🤦🏻‍♂️ don’t think that helped

[nash2 Partner in reply to Kobe1000]

The drinking may explain it. Alcohol is a liver specific toxin and GGT is often associated with liver distress. A lot depends on your unique biochemistry so it should be interesting to questions whether that was a response to excess alcohol or something else.