A Brief About GGT Test and Problems Associated with Higher Levels of GGT

What is GGT?

GGT, which means Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase, is a cell surface enzyme. It is found in cell membranes of many tissues throughout the body. The highest concentration of GGT is in the liver, kidneys, intestines, gallbladder, and prostate glands. However, it is also found in other parts including pancreas, thyroid, lungs, and spleen, but in small amounts.

GGT is usually associated with the transportation of molecules. It stimulates the movement of molecules around the body. But its primary function is to breakdown and recycle Glutathione, which is the strongest antioxidant in the human body. Glutathione does not let the oxidative stress take over the human body because, when produced in sufficient amounts, it combats the free radicals and eliminates the dominance of free radicals over the anti-oxidants.

Some of the other functions of GGT are:

• It helps in breaking down drugs and toxins

• It leads to the formation of amino acids that are necessary for the brain and heart.

• It also transforms the inflammatory molecules.

What is the GGT test?

Gamma-glutamyl transferase test, also known as GGTP test, measures the levels of GGT enzyme in the blood. The normal range of GGT for adults and children is between 0 and 30 international units per litre (UI/l). For infants and newborns, this range is slightly higher. If the level of GGT in the blood is higher than the normal level, it is an indication of the liver and bile duct damage.

What are the common problems associated with higher GGT levels?

Liver Damage

Some of the symptoms that indicate liver damage include jaundice, abdominal pain, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, decreased appetite, and light coloured stool. Doctors usually ask people experiencing these symptoms to get GGTP test done as these symptoms may be the signal of the occurrence of liver diseases like cirrhosis, hepatitis, and fatty liver disease among others. However, for doctors, higher levels of GGT is not the only sign of liver damage. Therefore, they ask their patients with higher GGTP levels to get the ALT, AST, ALP and Bilirubin tests done as well.  

Biliary Tract Disease

Biliary tract disease, also known as cholestasis, affects people whose bile duct gets blocked due to inflammation, infection, gallstones, or cyst. The symptoms of biliary tract diseases are somewhat similar to that of the liver damage and include light coloured stool, nausea, jaundice, pain in the upper right side of abdomen, vomiting, and unusual weight loss. For people suffering from biliary tract disease, GGT levels are high as well. Like liver damage, doctors prescribe people with higher GGT levels to undergo tests like ALP test to confirm biliary tract disease.

GGTP test is a normal blood test. People getting this test done are asked to fast for nearly eight hours before the test and refrain from consuming alcohol. While doing this test, healthcare professionals withdraw blood from the vein either in the crease of elbow or on the backside of hand, whichever vein is more prominent. People, who are prescribed to get the test done, should get it done from a good diagnostic lab as such labs have a hygienic environment, experienced healthcare professionals and deliver accurate results on time.

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Created on Jul 21st 2020 08:52. Viewed 308 times.

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