It is a blood test used to diagnose or rule out liver and bile duct conditions, It measures levels of GGT, an enzyme found mostly in the liver, which can leak into the bloodstream when the liver is damaged Read More
Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) blood test examines GGT enzyme activity in the blood. High levels of GGT enzyme in the blood may be a sign of liver disease or damage to the bile ducts. The bile duct is a tube carrying bile juice in and out of the liver, which is important for digestion. GGT enzymes may leak into the bloodstream if one of these structures is compromised.
Administration of foreign substances, such as alcohol or drugs (such as phenobarbital, phenytoin, or warfarin), can also cause an increase in GGT levels.
When the bile ducts in the liver become clogged or restricted, GGT usually increases in the bloodstream initially. This makes it the most accurate liver enzyme test for identifying problems with the bile duct.
A GGT test can not determine the precise cause of liver disease. Thus it is typically performed concurrently with the other liver function tests, most commonly an alkaline phosphatase (ALP) test. ALP is also a type of liver enzyme. Along with liver diseases it often aids in the diagnosis of bone disorders.
Liver conditions that can cause elevated GGT levels include:
Hepatitis (liver inflammation), especially viral hepatitis
Cirrhosis.
Cholestasis (blocked liver bile duct).
Alcohol liver disease.
fatty liver disease.
Liver ischemia (not enough blood flow to your liver, which leads to death of liver tissue).
A liver tumor or liver cancer.
Other conditions that can cause elevated GGT levels include:
Alcohol use disorder.
Pancreatitis or pancreatic cancer.
Diabetes.
Congestive heart failure.
Certain medications (like phenobarbital, phenytoin or warfarin).
Smoking.
Hepatitis.
Cirrhosis.
Alcohol use
Pancreatitis.
Diabetes.
Heart failure.
Side effects of a medicine.
Liver Function Tests (LFTs)
Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT): Detects liver damage.
Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST): Measures liver and heart damage.
Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP): Often measured with GGT to differentiate between liver and bone disease.
Bilirubin: Indicates bile flow issues and liver function.
Albumin and Total Protein: Assesses overall liver synthetic function.
LDH : May be elevated in liver damage or bile duct obstruction.
Complete Blood Count (CBC)
Helps identify signs of infection, inflammation, or anemia, which may be secondary to liver conditions.
Prothrombin Time (PT)/INR
Evaluates the liver's ability to produce clotting factors.
Lipid Profile
GGT is sometimes evaluated in relation to lipid profiles as GGT elevation may correlate with cardiovascular risks.
Hepatitis Panel
Detects viral hepatitis (e.g., Hepatitis A, B, and C) which can cause liver damage.
Amylase and Lipase
If pancreatic or biliary involvement is suspected, these tests help assess pancreas function.
It will take several hours to get the result.
Decreased appetite
Nausea or vomiting
Lack of energy
Abdominal pain
Jaundice, which is a yellowing of the skin
Weakness
Changes in urine color and feces
Itching of the skin
Gastrointestinal discomfort and pain
Feeling unwell
