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Outline
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
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