Gamma Glutamyl Transferase (GGT) Lab Values

Objective:

Determine the significance and clinical use of the lab value of Gamma Glutamyl Transferase in clinical practice.

 

Lab Test Name:

Gamma Glutamyl Transferase – GGT

 

Description:

Measurement of GGT enzyme in the blood

• Enzyme most abundantly found in the liver
• Disease process of: liver, biliary tract and pancreas
• 75% of people with alcohol abuse disorder have elevated levels of GGT in their blood
• A.K.A gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase

 

Indications

Indications to test GGT:

Liver disease 

• Abnormal LFTs
• N/V
• Abdominal pain
• Itchy skin
• Jaundice
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• ETOH abuse
• Drug overdose
• Bone disease- when combined with ALK Phos, GGT will not be elevated in bone disease
• Damage to the liver’s bile ducts

 

Normal Therapeutic Values:

GGT

Normal: 5- 40 U/L

Collection:

• Serum separator

 

What would cause increased levels?

Elevated GGT

Disease process:

• Liver disease/cancer- cirrhosis, hepatitis, fibrosis
• Cholestasis
• ETOH/Non-ETOH

• Pancreatitis

Non-disease process

• Smoking- significantly associated with increased levels of GGT
• Alcohol abuse disorder
• Medications- acetaminophen, barbiturates – medications that are metabolized through the liver

 

What would cause decreased levels?

Decreased GGT

• Unbalanced diet
• Vitamin or mineral deficient

• Not linked to medical condition or disease