Gamma-glutamyltransferase (gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase) is one of the enzymes of the liver and pancreas that is involved in certain biochemical reactions. Directly in the blood, GGT can be contained in minimal quantities, since the cells are constantly renewed, and their breakdown products penetrate into the bloodstream.

However, an increase in GGT levels above normal (a certain indicator for different age categories and gender) is always evidence of a pathological process in the liver, pancreas, and kidneys.

Gamma GT is increased - what does this mean?

The greatest activity of gamma-GT is observed in the kidneys, bile ducts, and liver, but the enzyme is also found in minimal quantities in other organs and systems (in the tissues of the brain, heart, skeletal muscles, intestines, spleen, prostate).

When the amount of GGT in the blood increases sharply, there may be several reasons for this:

• cholestasis (stagnation of bile);
• cytolysis (death of liver cells);
• exposure to alcohol;
• taking medications;
• oncological processes;
• pathologies of other organs.

In some cases (alcohol or drug intoxication), elevated GGT levels are temporary and can normalize without treatment. Therefore, repeated testing for GGT is recommended.

When is a test for GGTP prescribed?

The amount of enzyme in the blood serum is most informative when:

• diagnosis of pathologies of the liver, gall bladder, bile ducts;
• monitoring of oncological processes;
• monitoring the treatment of diseases of the hepatobiliary system;
• alcoholism monitoring;
• identifying the causes of increased alkaline phosphatase (ALP);
• the appearance of symptoms of damage to the liver, bile ducts, gall bladder (jaundice, itching, dark urine, etc.).

Important! An analysis for GGT can also be prescribed in the diagnosis of extrahepatic pathologies as one of the elements of a comprehensive study.

Gamma-GT is elevated - reasons

Diagnosis of a disease that has caused a change in GGT levels is the prerogative of specialists, but exceeding the norm is always a signal from the body about the unfavorable condition of the liver.

Thus, an excess of GGT level by 5 times is observed when:

• taking certain medications;
• drinking alcoholic beverages;
• post-infarction state;
• congestive heart failure.

5-10 times – at:

• hepatitis;
• cirrhosis;
• other lesions of the liver and biliary tract.

10 times and higher – at:

• hepatitis, cirrhosis, cholangitis;
• oncological lesions of the liver;
• alcohol intoxication;
• blockage of the intrahepatic bile ducts or bile ducts;
• liver failure.

With all the variety of possible pathological conditions, only a few of them are diagnosed in the vast majority of cases.

Cholestasis syndrome

Stagnation of bile can be caused by disorders at any level of the hepatobiliary system.

There are 2 main variants of this condition:

Characteristic symptoms of cholestasis (indigestion, itchy skin, dark urine, enlarged liver, etc.) may have varying degrees of severity depending on the severity of the underlying disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis, alcohol or drug intoxication, sarcoidosis, etc.).

Treatment

When choosing treatment tactics, extensive diagnostics are carried out (blood biochemistry, urine analysis, ultrasound of the abdominal organs, studies of the patency of the biliary tract and the degree of damage).

The general treatment regimen consists of several mandatory points:

• If possible, eliminate the cause of the pathology;
• A special diet that involves consuming a certain amount of neutral fats;
• When identifying a violation of the permeability of cell membranes, Heptral, Metadoxyl, and antioxidants are used;
• To normalize the composition of bile, Rifampicin and ursodeoxycholic acid preparations are prescribed;
• Corticosteroids can be used as cell membrane stabilizers.

As a means of symptomatic treatment and in the chronic course of the disease, Naloxone or Ondansetron, vitamins A, E, K, as well as vitamin D are prescribed simultaneously with calcium supplements.

Cytolysis

The death of liver cells can go unnoticed for a long time and is expressed only by side symptoms of an implicit etiology:

• bitterness in the mouth;
• nausea;
• flatulence;
• heaviness in the area of ​​the stomach or right hypochondrium, especially obvious after eating;
• constipation or diarrhea.

As in the case of cholestasis syndrome, the first and The main point of therapy is eliminating the cause of the pathological condition:

To normalize the condition, it is possible to use hepatoprotectors (Heptral, Karsil), detoxification solutions, sorbents, and vitamins.

Important! Particular importance is attached to diet: split meals, avoidance of unhealthy foods (fatty, salty, rich, sour, etc.), limiting salt, increasing fluid intake.

Effects of alcohol

The release of GGT is directly related to alcohol consumption - even when determining the initial high levels of the enzyme in the blood Quitting alcohol reduces GGT levels by 2 times after just 10 days.

If after a month the GGT level returns to normal, this means there is no pathology. If the indicators are close to exceeding the norm, it is worth thinking about completely giving up alcohol, since it is this that causes alcoholism and such serious conditions as cirrhosis, injuries while intoxicated, and delirium tremens.

A test for GGT, done in combination with other studies of liver enzymes (ALT, AST), can determine not only alcoholism, but also alcoholic steatohepatitis - an inflammatory process with the parallel formation of areas of necrosis under the influence of ethanol metabolic products. In other words, a penchant for drinking alcohol that has not yet developed into alcoholism.

Important! Some companies have made such a test mandatory during a medical examination, and in case of a positive result, it becomes a reason for recognizing professional unsuitability.

Taking medications

When diagnostics do not reveal pathological causes for increased GGT in the blood, an excess of enzymes can be triggered by taking certain medications that cause liver intoxication. These may be drugs from the following groups:

• Antibiotics, antiviral, antifungal;
• NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs);
• Anesthetics;
• Anticoagulants;
• Hypotonic agents;
• Diuretics;
• Statins, etc.

The list of these medications is far from complete; it is possible to determine exactly which of them caused changes in the composition of the blood based on the patient’s information about what medications he took the day before. More accurate information will be provided by an additional blood test.

Oncology

The formation of tumors in the liver causes an increase in GGT levels several times higher than normal. Primary liver cancer, as well as metastases from other affected organs, can be detected when GGT is activated in the blood.

Other reasons

Sometimes a biochemical blood test shows a deviation from the norm towards an increase in GGT in other pathologies:

• Pancreatitis (inflammatory processes in the pancreas);
• Thyrotoxicosis (increased levels of thyroid hormones);
• Diabetes mellitus;
• Heart failure;
• Renal failure, glomerulonephritis, pyelonephritis;
• Neurological diseases;
• Pathological conditions of the brain;
• Injuries;
• Burn lesions;
• Hormonal drugs for the treatment of the thyroid gland.

Increased Gamma GT in women

Standard GGT levels in women may be slightly increased in the following cases:

• oncological formations in the mammary gland;
• use of hormonal contraceptives or drugs to maintain the balance of female hormones;
• during pregnancy.

In any case, the treatment regimen is drawn up by the attending physician, depending on the magnitude of the excess of GGT, as well as the severity of the primary disease.

First of all, the root cause is eliminated, followed by strict adherence to the diet and drug support for the liver. In the most extreme cases, surgical intervention is indicated (for oncology).

Increased Gamma GT in men

For men, the list of gender-specific reasons for increased GGT is most often limited to the following points:

• Prostate cancer;
• Alcohol addiction.

It is worth considering the fact that the standard values ​​for men exceed the women's standards due to the enzyme content in the prostate gland.

Treatment of the identified pathology depends on the stage of the disease and is carried out only under the supervision of a doctor. In the case of a single alcohol intoxication, a period of abstinence is sufficient for the indicators to return to normal.

How is a blood test for Gamma GT performed?

A biochemical blood test for GGT is always prescribed to test for sensitivity to alcohol.

However, the study can be carried out in a number of other cases:

• during preoperative preparation;
• when diagnosing liver problems;
• when the patient develops alarming symptoms: nausea, vomiting, weakness, pain in the right hypochondrium;
• if signs of cirrhosis or hepatitis occur;
• to confirm detected oncology.

How to prepare?

As a rule, blood is taken from a vein for analysis.

To get the correct result the patient must adhere to several recommendations:

• since blood is taken on an empty stomach, eat no later than 8 hours before the time of analysis;
• exclude alcohol and foods with a high fat content from the diet 2-3 days before the test;
• do not expose the body to intense physical activity;
• temporarily stop taking medications after the prior consent of the doctor;
• additional studies (ultrasound, x-ray, etc.) and physiotherapeutic procedures should be carried out after the test.

Norm

The average standards are:

• for men – up to 49 U/l;
• for women – up to 32 U/l.

In children, standard indicators depend on age and gradually decrease. The highest level of GGT is in newborns. Until the age of 12, the indicators for boys and girls are approximately the same, then puberty begins, and the standard for boys gradually increases.

Video

Decoding

Only a qualified specialist (therapist, gastroenterologist, etc.) can correctly interpret the studies performed.

Depending on the results obtained, as well as taking into account other blood parameters and additional factors (age, gender, race, etc.), the doctor makes a conclusion and draws up a subsequent treatment plan.

Bile is produced in liver cells, which is necessary for the absorption of fats from food and the removal of certain medications. The process of bile formation is continuous, but it enters the intestines only when eating or after eating. The rest of the time it accumulates in the gallbladder. The most sensitive test for this is the GGTP test. What kind of analysis is this, what information does it provide and how is it carried out? This is what we will talk about in this article.

GGTP: general information

In the cells of the liver, as well as the biliary tract, there is an enzyme that is a kind of catalyst for certain biochemical reactions. It is called GGTP (gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase) and is found only in cells, when destroyed it enters the bloodstream. Since the renewal of some cells is a completely normal process, the presence of a small amount of GGTP in the blood is acceptable. However, if a significant number of cells are destroyed, large amounts of this enzyme can be released, which is an alarm signal. This situation indicates the presence of acute diseases of the liver or biliary tract.

The importance of determining GGTP

Diagnosis of GGTP activity (a blood test to determine the level of this enzyme) is of great importance for identifying the following processes:

• cholestasis (stagnation of bile);
• cytolysis (cell destruction);
• tumor growth in the liver;
• drug or alcohol intoxication.

It is worth paying special attention to the last point. Alcohol and some medications affect the production of GGTP. What does it mean? The fact that the amount of enzyme can increase significantly even in the absence of liver disease. And this phenomenon is observed in people who abuse alcohol or take certain types of drugs (for example, Paracetamol or Phenobarbital). In this regard, the GGTP test is often used in the treatment of alcoholism.

In addition, the level of this enzyme in the blood is determined for the following purposes:

• to confirm suspected blockage of the biliary tract (in the presence of a pancreatic tumor or stones in the bile ducts);
• for diagnosis and biliary cirrhosis (primary);
• to determine the cause (bone pathology or liver disease);
• to monitor the condition and success of treatment of a patient who has elevated GGTP.

We can say about GGTP that it is the most sensitive enzyme to diseases of the liver and biliary tract. Its level rises faster than alkaline phosphatase, for example. Therefore, it is especially valuable in diagnosing certain diseases, when other indicators are “lagging” or require confirmation.

Purpose of analysis

In what cases is GGTP prescribed to patients, by whom and how is it administered? The person to contact for questions related to gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase is a hepatologist. There are several situations when it is important to find out the level of this enzyme in the blood:

1. First of all, a test to determine the level of this enzyme is important when conducting tests that are used to assess the functions of this organ.

2. In the presence of nausea, vomiting, constant weakness, abdominal pain, itching, lightening of stool or darkening of urine, and jaundice.

3. When abusing alcohol or treating a patient for alcoholic hepatitis.

4. During a routine medical examination or preparation for surgery.

Venous or capillary blood is taken for research. During the process of applying a tourniquet and puncturing a vein, some not very pleasant sensations may occur, which the doctor usually warns about in advance. In addition, in preparation for diagnosis, the patient is informed about a number of important rules. So, twelve hours before the analysis, you must stop eating, and half an hour before it, do not smoke, and avoid physical or emotional stress. This will allow you to obtain correct data.

Research results and their implications

Based on the results of the test, you can see that the GGTP value is increased or normal. There is no other option, since this enzyme may be completely absent in the blood (initially it is contained only in cells), although this does not happen often. Decoding of GGTP (its level) is as follows:

• for women range from 0 to 32-38 units/l;
• for men this figure is higher - from 0 to 50-55 units/l.

The higher their level, the more severe the damage to the bile ducts or liver. Let's look at the most common reasons for increased levels of this enzyme.

Causes of elevated GGTP levels

If the study revealed an increased level of this enzyme, then we can talk about deviations from the norm. An increase in GGTP activity may be associated with the following disorders:

• various types of damage to the liver and biliary tract - obstructive jaundice, scars, stones or tumors in the bile ducts, cancer of the stomach or head of the pancreas;
• liver cirrhosis - normal liver tissue is replaced by scar tissue, as a result of which the functions of this organ are impaired;
• liver cancer or metastases that have spread to the liver due to tumors of other organs;
• hepatitis (both acute and chronic), including alcoholic;
• infectious mononucleosis;
• autoimmune damage to the bile ducts, leading to primary biliary cirrhosis or sclerosing cholangitis;
• acute inflammation;
• metastases in the liver as a result of breast, prostate, lung cancer;
• heart failure and myocardial infarction (with secondary liver involvement);
• hyperthyroidism and diabetes mellitus.

As you can see, there are many reasons for increased GGTP levels. One way or another, they are all related to the functioning of the liver. In addition, this enzyme is found in the pancreas, spleen, kidneys, and prostate (albeit in smaller quantities). Therefore, diseases of these organs also affect its level in the blood. However, an increase in the concentration of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase is nonspecific only in cases of liver dysfunction. The reasons for the decrease in GGTP may be decreased thyroid function and decompensated cirrhosis.

Conclusion

In the article we looked at such an important enzyme as GGTP. What it is and why its level is determined was also explained. We learned what changes in its concentration in the blood may be associated with and what they indicate, as well as when a test for GGTP is prescribed and how it is carried out. We hope you found the information useful.

The list of liver tests includes an analysis for GGT, which allows you to identify pathological abnormalities in the functioning of the organ. What are the normal levels of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase in the blood and what do deviations from the reference values ​​indicate?

What is it

Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) is an enzyme whose quantity and activity increase in the presence of pathologies in the functioning of the body. GGT is inherent in organs that actively perform the function of excretion and absorption, in particular the liver and kidneys.

Indications for analysis

A biochemical blood test for GGT is prescribed to diagnose diseases of the liver, digestive organs and detect stagnation of bile. It is recommended if the patient develops alarming symptoms: jaundice, nausea, vomiting, general weakness and dark urine. The study allows you to diagnose alcoholism and monitor the process of abstinence from harmful addictions.

GGT analysis is important for assessing the effectiveness of treatment of liver diseases, as well as for identifying pathological changes in the body when taking certain medications.

Preparing and conducting analysis

You can get reliable results from a GGT test only by following your doctor’s recommendations. Biological material for research is taken from a vein in the morning on an empty stomach. Refuse to eat 12 hours before the test; you can only drink clean water. Avoid physical activity and emotional stress. Do not smoke an hour before the test, but give up alcohol at least 24 hours, because even a small amount of it entering the body can distort the result. Before the study, do not do x-rays, fluorography or ultrasound.

Norms

The level of GGT in the blood depends on the age and gender of the patient. In addition, the reference value in different clinics and laboratories may differ depending on the reagents used.

Average GGT norms in biochemical blood tests:

• in babies up to 6 months – up to 204 IU/l;
• in children 6-12 months – 34 IU/l;
• from one year to 3 years – 18 IU/l;
• from 3 to 12 years – 20 IU/l;
• from 13 to 17 years – 40 IU/l;
• in women over 18 years old – 5-36 IU/l;
• in men over 18 years old – 8-61 IU/l.

The increased reference value in the stronger sex is due to the presence of the enzyme in the prostate.

Elevated GGT

A high level of GGT indicates a pathological condition of the liver and a delay in the excretion of bile. Exceeding the reference value is observed in viral hepatitis, which inhibits the movement of bile through the ducts, which provokes the development of cholestasis. The level of the enzyme increases in alcoholic or posthepatic cirrhosis of the liver, as well as in obstructive jaundice. Toxic liver damage and poisoning, including alcohol poisoning, increases the amount of GGT in the blood up to 10 times.

A high level of the enzyme may indicate the presence of malignant tumors or metastases in the liver. Less commonly, an increase in the enzyme indicates diabetes mellitus, heart failure, myocardial infarction and arthritis.

Reduced GGT

A decrease in the level of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase occurs with increased physical activity, vegetarianism and abstinence from alcohol. The cause of low GGT can be hypothyroidism, when all metabolic processes in the body slow down significantly. In addition, hormonal contraceptives help reduce enzyme levels.

Analysis for GGT is not enough to make an accurate diagnosis, so its results are assessed in conjunction with other studies (liver tests).

Blood is a liquid organ in the human body. Thanks to this physiological fluid, all systems function. Blood is saturated with various chemical elements, enzymes, proteins, etc. For each component there are set normal indicators.

If the amount of any blood component becomes less or more than normal, this is considered a disorder. This condition often entails the development of dangerous pathologies.

One of the key indicators of the analysis is the GGT level. You can also find the abbreviation GGTP. These letters are deciphered as glutamyltransferase or gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase. An increase in GGT levels warns of possible problems in the gastrointestinal tract, and especially the liver. This enzyme lives on the membranes of the kidneys, liver, pancreas and spleen.

After the age of 17 years, a stable level of glutamyl transferase is established. For women, the maximum permissible value is 6-42 U/l. In men, the figures are slightly higher - 10-71 U/l. This difference is due to the fact that in representatives of the stronger sex, the protein enzyme is also formed on the prostate.

These elements enter the blood, but not do not affect men's health. If GGT is increased 2-3 times, then this does not cause any particular concern. As a rule, this only indicates overwork, poor nutrition or an unhealthy lifestyle. When gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase increases more than 5 times, it is necessary to send the patient for additional examinations.

In modern medicine there are such reasons for high GGT levels in the blood:

• taking medications that thicken bile;
• overweight;
• drinking large amounts of alcoholic beverages;
• low level of physical activity;
• frequent smoking;
• abuse of fatty and fried foods;
• insufficient consumption of fresh vegetables and fruits;
• viral hepatitis;
• pancreatitis;
• mononucleosis, etc.

The cause of increased GGT is most diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Ulcerative colitis, gastritis and many other pathologies help the liver work harder, so protein enzymes like GGTP increase. The state of severe alcohol intoxication also acts as a provoking factor, however, not to the same extent.

This is explained by the fact that within two days most of the toxic substances leave the human body, and the liver returns to normal. Accordingly, and GGT levels decrease. Pathology is considered to be a condition in which GGTP is increased more than 3 times over a very long period of time.

GGTP levels in newborns

Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase has different levels in the blood of people of different ages and gender. During life, the level of this protein-forming enzyme fluctuates from the highest quantitative indicators to normal.

However, in old age, GGTP increases again. This is due to the physiological characteristics of the aging body. If we talk about newborn children, then the situation here is somewhat different.

Babies' blood is rich in GGT. Indicators that do not exceed 204 are considered the norm. The fact is that the baby’s body is just beginning to adapt to environmental conditions. The immune system of newborns is not strong enough to relieve the burden on the liver. Organs begin to actively function, and for this they need building material - protein. GGTP is an enzyme that is converted into protein. Therefore, the level of this substance in the blood of infants sometimes exceeds the normal threshold.

Pathology is considered to be situations when gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase in newborns is increased by 3-5 times. In this case, pediatricians may assume that the child has congenital liver or kidney failure. To make an accurate diagnosis, it is necessary to undergo a complete diagnosis of the body and undergo additional tests.

In most cases, GGT returns to normal after the first year of the baby’s life. At the same time, it is extremely important monitor your child's nutrition. It is recommended to teach the consumption of fresh vegetables and fruits from childhood, as well as to minimize harmful sweets and fatty foods.

Treatment: how to lower GGTP in the blood?

Before prescribing a therapeutic course, the doctor will definitely conduct comprehensive examination of the patient. In order for GGT levels to normalize, it is necessary to cure the pathology that provokes an increase in the amount of this enzyme in the blood.

In addition, the doctor may advise you to take a biochemical blood test again. It happens that the patient did not properly prepare for this procedure, and therefore the result was not 100% truthful.

The rules for preparing for a biochemical blood test are as follows:

• Refusal of any food for 12 hours before collecting biological material.
• Avoiding stress and strong emotional turmoil.
• During the day before the test, you should not drink drinks that contain alcohol.
• Smoking is prohibited one hour before the procedure.

If a repeated analysis shows that GGTP is elevated, then the doctor refers the patient for diagnostics. Depending on the identified disease, a therapeutic course is prescribed. If a person is diagnosed with liver problems, then in addition to medications, he is also recommended to follow a diet. GGT returns to normal when the underlying disorder is eliminated.

If you do not start timely treatment, this can lead to serious consequences. In especially severe cases, the kidneys, liver or other organs of the gastrointestinal tract may fail. If the doctor, based on the test results, recommends undergo additional diagnostics, you definitely need to do this.

How to normalize GGT levels using folk remedies?

GGTP can be brought back to normal using non-traditional methods. However, this technique is effective only if no serious deviations are detected. If the body has pathologies such as cirrhosis, gastritis, ulcers, pancreatitis, etc., then folk remedies won't help.

In all other situations, folk remedies are used. However, there are no special recipes here. Herbalists give general recommendations regarding normalization of lifestyle.

The most popular methods of combating elevated levels of GGTP are:

• eating as many leafy vegetables as possible;
• inclusion in the diet of foods that are rich in antioxidants;
• regular (ideally daily) consumption of fiber;
• drinking freshly squeezed juices (mainly citrus fruits);
• consume protein found in fish and lean meats;
• compliance with the water regime;
• avoiding foods that harm the liver.

In addition, we should not forget about the benefits of oxygen for the body. Lack of fresh air often causes changes in the chemical composition of the blood. This can be corrected by going for a walk outside every day. Even 15-minute walks give positive results.

It is also necessary to normalize your daily routine. It is best to go to bed at 9-10 pm and get up no later than 9 am. At night, the liver actively regenerates, however, this only happens during sleep. Poet healthy full sleep– the key to a healthy liver and normal GGTP levels.