GAMMA GLUTAMYL TRANSPEPTIDASE / GAMMA GLUTAMYL TRANSFERASE (GGT)
Description
- male : <50
- Female <30
Clinical significance
- GGT is an enzyme which catalyses the transfer of glutamyl group from peptides to water, amino acids and other peptides . The enzyme is present in large amount in the kidneys, followed by liver, pancreas and prostate . Other tissues contain negligible amounts of the enzyme.
- Most sensitive, but least specific of all liver function tests. GGT is more responsive to biliary obstruction than are AST And ALT.
- It Is utilized as a supplementary test to be sure that the elevation of ALP is coming from the liver or biliary tract. In contrast to the ALP, GGT is not elevated in diseases of bone, Placenta or intestine. GGT is markedly increased in lesions that cause intrahepatic or extrahepatic obstruction of bile ducts
- when GGT and alkaline phosphatase are both high,- but one is disproportionately elevated, suspect the Possibility of drug induced cholestasis (including alcoholism if It is GGT which is much higher).
- Unlike AST, it is not elevated in skeletal muscle disease.
When to get tested
- When there are symptoms like weakness , fatigue , nausea , vomiting , dark urine , light coloured stools , pruritus, diarrhoea.
- When the ALP test values are high but other tests that are part of the Liver panel (AST and ALT) are not Increased
Elevated level
- Cholestasis (congestion of the bile ducts)
- Cirrhosis
- Hepatic ischemia
- Hepatic necrosis
- Hepatic tumour
- Hepatitis
- Hepatotoxic drugs
- Hepatoma and carcinoma of pancreas
- Systemic lupus erythematosus
- Hyperthyroidism
- Congestive heart failure
- Sepsis
- Infectious mononucleosis
Decreased level
- Unlikely to have a Liver disease
- Unlikely to have consumed any Alcohol
Profile
Liver panel
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