How to decipher the value of GGT in the blood during biochemical analysis? Ggt indicator in the biochemical blood test and what causes deviations. An isolated increase in ggtp causes.

An increase in GGT in the biochemical composition of the blood may indicate such dangerous diseases liver as cirrhosis, hepatitis of intoxication or viral etiology. Magnification gGT norms occurs in people who abuse strong alcoholic beverages for several days, weeks and months.

GGT (gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase) in the biochemical composition of the blood is a protein enzyme, an increase in which indicates a disease state of the liver or gallbladder tissues. It is in the cells of these internal organs contains a digestive enzyme.

By its physiological purpose, GGT is a biochemical substance that, together with bile, accelerates the breakdown of fats that enter the body as part of food.

In healthy people who do not have concomitant diseases of the liver or gallbladder, gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase in the bloodstream is completely absent, or its level is insignificant.

If a person suffers from pathologies of these organs, then their cells die, as a result of which GGT molecules enter the blood.

After a biochemical blood test, an increased concentration of a protein enzyme is found, which indicates the need to organize a more thorough examination of the patient.

Indications for analysis

In order for the attending physician to decide on the need for a biochemical blood test for the level of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, the following circumstances are required:

GGT in the biochemical composition of blood is increased in cases where dysfunction of the gallbladder is also present. Therefore, patients suffering from diseases of this organ are also shown to be tested for gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase in the bloodstream.

How to prepare for a blood donation

To obtain the most reliable data without distorting the test results, it is necessary to follow the rules for preparing for blood donation. They consist in the following actions on the part of the person who will undergo laboratory examination:

At all stages of preparation for donating blood for its biochemical study for gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, it is recommended to exclude smoked, fatty, pickled food from the diet so as not to create an increased load on the liver tissue.

The menu of the person undergoing the examination should consist of cereals, vegetables, lactic acid products, boiled potatoes and lean meats (chicken, turkey, rabbit, veal).

How is the analysis for GGT

GGT in the biochemical composition of the blood is increased or its normal values \u200b\u200bremain, determines a detailed laboratory study.

It is carried out as follows:

The average study duration is from 1 to 2 hours. The availability of modern electronic devices and laboratory equipment speeds up the analysis process.

In the presence of the slightest suspicion of distortion of the examination results, the attending physician may prescribe a repeated sampling of biological material with the release of the GGT concentration. The measurement is carried out in units relative to 1 liter of venous blood.

GGT norm in the analysis of blood for biochemistry

Indicators of the level of gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase in the bloodstream depend on the age of the patient being examined, as well as his gender. Below is a detailed table showing the protein enzyme norms for patients of the corresponding age category.

GGT in the biochemical composition of blood is increased in adults and young children who have severe forms of damage to the liver tissue, gallbladder and its ducts.

Having received the results laboratory research, in which the excess of the concentration of this protein enzyme is indicated, the attending physician prescribes the patient to undergo additional diagnostics the above internal organs.

The reasons for the increase in GGT in the blood

There are a large number of diseases and factors, the presence of which provokes an increase in the concentration of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase. All of them entail damage to the cellular structure of the liver tissue, pancreas, walls of the gallbladder, stomach, namely:

GGT in the biochemical composition of the blood is increased until the attending physician examines the patient, establishes the true cause of the high concentration of the protein enzyme and takes measures to reduce the level of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase.

Timely initiation of treatment for the detected disease allows you to prevent further destruction of liver cells and bring the biochemical composition of blood to normal.

Is it life-threatening to increase GGT?

The increased concentration of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase in the blood is not dangerous to health and life. The threat comes from diseases that provoked an increase in the level of a protein enzyme. Most of the pathologies are listed in the section above, and can lead to a long-term disorder of the digestive and endocrine systems.

In addition, the lack of treatment for diseases such as hepatitis, cirrhosis, pancreatitis, oncological processes in the tissues of the stomach, liver, pancreas, gallbladder and its ducts can lead to death.

Ways to lower blood GGT levels

It should be understood that an increase in the concentration of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase in the blood is not a disease, but one of many symptoms indicating an underlying pathology. Therefore, to reduce the level of GGT, it is recommended to start therapy for the underlying ailment as soon as possible.

If there is an urgent need to reduce the saturation of the enzyme protein, then this effect can be achieved by taking the following medications:

The dosage and duration of therapy is determined on an individual basis, based on clinical picture the course of the disease. In most cases, there is no need to take medications that lower the concentration of GGT in the blood. It is enough to start treatment of the disease that caused the massive death of liver cells, so that within 1-3 days the biochemical composition of the blood would return to normal.

Reducing GGT by folk remedies

Alternative medicine offers alternative methods of lowering the concentration of the liver enzyme. For these purposes, decoctions and tinctures of medicinal plants are used. Below are a few folk recipesthat improve the function of the liver, gallbladder and pancreas, stopping the destruction of their cells:

Before attempting to independently reduce the concentration of GGT in the blood with the help of traditional medicine, it is recommended to first visit a general practitioner, undergo an examination, and only with his permission to begin treatment with medicinal plants.

What is the reason for the decrease in the rate of GGT

The concentration of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase can be not only increased, but also decreased.

A similar change in the biochemical composition of blood is possible in the following cases:

A special increase in the level of GGT in the biochemical composition of the blood is not required. The patient and the attending physician are tasked with treating the underlying disease, getting rid of which will restore the normal function of the liver and other internal organs involved in the digestion process.

Article design: Mila Friedan

Video about GGT in blood

Elena Malysheva will tell you about the norm and reasons for GGT deviation:

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

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

Gamma-HT is elevated - what does it mean?

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

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

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

In some cases (alcohol or drug intoxication) elevated level GGT is a temporary phenomenon and can return to normal without treatment. Therefore, it is recommended to conduct a repeated study for GGT.

When an analysis is prescribed for GGTP

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

• diagnostics of pathologies of the liver, gallbladder, bile ducts;
• monitoring of oncological processes;
• monitoring the therapy of diseases of the hepatobiliary system;
• monitoring alcoholism;
• identifying the reasons for the increase in alkaline phosphatase (ALP);
• the appearance of symptoms of damage to the liver, bile ducts, gallbladder (jaundice, itchy skin, darkening of urine, etc.).

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

Gamma-HT is elevated - causes

Diagnosis of a disease that caused a change in the level of GGT is the prerogative of specialists, however, exceeding the norm is always a signal from the body about an unfavorable state of the liver.

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

• taking certain medications;
• the use of alcoholic beverages;
• postinfarction condition;
• congestive heart failure.

5-10 times - at:

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

10 times and more - 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

Bile stasis can be caused by abnormalities at any level of the hepatobiliary system.

There are 2 main variants of this condition:

The characteristic symptoms of cholestasis (indigestion, skin itching, dark urine, enlarged liver, etc.) can vary in 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, urinalysis, ultrasound of organs abdominal, studies of the patency of the biliary tract and the degree of damage).

The general scheme of therapy consists of several mandatory points:

• If possible, eliminate the cause of the pathology;
• A special diet that involves the consumption of a certain amount of neutral fats;
• When detecting a violation of the permeability of cell membranes, Heptral, Metadoxil, 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 means 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 preparations.

Cytolysis

The death of liver cells can long time remain unnoticed and be expressed only by side symptoms of an implicit etiology:

• bitterness in the mouth;
• nausea;
• flatulence;
• heaviness in the area of \u200b\u200bthe 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 to eliminate the cause of the pathological condition:

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

Important! Diet is of particular importance: fractional meals, refusal junk food (fatty, salty, rich, sour, etc.), restriction of salt, an increase in fluid intake.

Exposure to alcohol

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

If, after a month, the GGT level returns to normal, then this means the absence of pathology. With indicators close to exceeding the norm, it is worth thinking about a complete rejection of alcohol, since it is he who becomes the cause of alcoholism and such severe conditions as cirrhosis, injuries while intoxicated, delirium tremens.

The GGT test, done in conjunction with other studies of liver enzymes (ALT, AST), is able to determine not only alcoholism, but also alcoholic steatohepatitis - an inflammatory process with the parallel formation of necrosis areas under the influence of ethanol metabolism products. In other words, an addiction to alcoholic drinks that has not yet developed into alcoholism.

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

Taking medications

When the diagnosis does not reveal pathological reasons for an increase in GGT in the blood, then an excess of enzymes can be triggered by the intake of certain drugs that have caused liver intoxication. These can be drugs from the following groups:

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

The list of these drugs is far from complete, it is possible to establish exactly which of them caused changes in the composition of the blood, based on the patient's information about what drugs he took the day before. An additional blood test will provide more accurate information.

Oncology

The formation of neoplasms in the liver causes an increase in the level of GGT 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 (inflammation of the pancreas);
• Thyrotoxicosis (increased levels of thyroid hormones);
• Diabetes;
• 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 HT in women

The normative indicators of GGT in women can be slightly increased in the following cases:

• oncological formations in the mammary gland;
• using hormonal contraceptives or medications to support the balance of female hormones;
• during pregnancy.

In any case, the treatment regimen is made by the attending physician, depending on the amount of excess 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 medication support for the liver. In the most extreme cases, it is shown surgical intervention (with oncology).

Increased Gamma HT in men

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

• Prostate cancer;
• Alcohol addiction.

It should be borne in mind that the normative indicators for men exceed the female standards due to the content of the enzyme in the prostate gland.

Treatment of the revealed 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 HT performed?

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

However, research 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;
• when signs of cirrhosis or hepatitis occur;
• to confirm the 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, take food no later than 8 hours before the time of the analysis;
• exclude alcohol and foods with a high fat content from the diet 2-3 days before the study;
• do not expose the body to increased physical exertion;
• temporarily refuse to take medications after the prior consent of the doctor;
• additional studies (ultrasound, x-rays, etc.) and physiotherapy procedures should be carried out after the analysis.

Norm

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 levels of GGT are found 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 make a correct transcript of 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 scheme for subsequent treatment.

For example, if gamma-glutamyltransferase is elevated due to liver disease, then nausea, vomiting, itching and yellowing of the skin, darkening of urine, and very light feces may occur.

Increased GGT in the blood: what are the reasons

Changes in the level of gamma glutamyltransferase can be temporary and return to normal (table with norms) after the causes of such changes are eliminated. These include: taking drugs that thicken bile or slow down the rate of its excretion (phenobarbital, furosemide, heparin, etc.), obesity, low physical activity, smoking, alcohol intake, even in small quantities.

The reasons for the increase in gamma-glutamyltransferase 10 times or more:

• jaundice as a result of a violation of the outflow of bile and an increase in intraductal pressure;
• poisoning and toxic damage to the liver;
• neoplasms of the liver and pancreas, in men - the prostate;
• diabetes;
• myocardial infarction;
• rheumatoid arthritis;
• hyperthyroidism;
• chronic alcoholism and a number of other diseases.

With prolonged alcohol consumption, the level of GGT is increased at once (the ratio of gamma-glutamyltransferase to AST is about 6). The content of this enzyme in the blood is influenced by the amount, duration and frequency of consumption of alcohol-containing products.

Increased GGT and other enzymes (AST, ALT)

Since the increased level of GGT in the blood does not allow for an accurate diagnosis of the disease and may be caused by other reasons, the doctor prescribes an additional examination of the liver.

• drinking a lot of alcohol;
• taking drugs;
• diabetes;
• inflammatory processes in the digestive tract;
• being overweight;
• increased triglyceride levels;
• admitting some drugs.

GGT in biochemical analysis blood exceeds 100, ALT is less than 80 and alkaline phosphatase more than 200 is observed when:

• slowing down the outflow of bile against the background of excessive alcohol consumption;
• decreased outflow of bile as a result of liver cirrhosis;
• obstruction of the outflow of bile due to stones in gallbladder or compression of the bile ducts by neoplasms;
• other reasons.

An increase in the level of gamma-glutamyltransferase to 100, with ALT and AST above 80 and ALP less than 200 may mean:

• the presence of viral hepatitis (A, B or C) or the Epstein-Barr virus (sometimes viral hepatitis occurs without an increase in the level of liver enzymes);
• excessive influence on the liver of alcohol;
• fatty hepatosis.

The GGT index is increased to 100, ALT exceeds 80 and ALP is more than 200. This means that the outflow of bile is difficult and liver cells are damaged. Among the reasons for this condition:

• chronic alcoholic or viral hepatitis;
• autoimmune hepatitis;
• neoplasms in the liver;
• cirrhosis of the liver.

For an accurate diagnosis, an additional examination and a full-time doctor's consultation are required!

The GGT indicator in the biochemical blood test diagnoses bile stagnation. It is a very sensitive marker for cholangitis (inflammation of the bile ducts) and cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder) - it rises earlier than other liver enzymes (ALT, ACT). A moderate increase in GGT is observed with infectious hepatitis and liver obesity (2-5 times higher than normal).

Treatment of increased GGT in the blood: how to lower and bring it back to normal

Treatment of an increased level of GGT begins with diagnosing the state of the body and identifying the exact cause of the increase in this enzyme. Treatment of diseases due to which increased gamma-glutamyltransferase can reduce its level.

It is necessary to stop smoking and drinking alcohol. The WHO recommendations on how to quit smoking and how to quit drinking will help to get rid of these habits. It will also lower the elevated GGT.

More on this topic

Other analysis indicators:

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Why increased levels of Gamma-HT?

A biochemical blood test can tell a lot about the state of the human body. One of the most important indicators is Gamma-GT. It also has other names: gamma-glutamyltransferase, GGTP, and gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase.

What it is?

GGTP is a microsomal enzyme involved in amino acid metabolism. It is present in the membranes and cytoplasm of cells. Its significant concentrations are found in the liver, pancreas, kidneys and prostate in men. Since women do not have a prostate gland, their Gamma-HT activity is 2 times lower. Small amounts of this enzyme are found in tissues other than muscle.

The norms for different research methods differ, but depend on the age and gender of the person. An increase in Gamma-HT is always a sign of trouble. The indicator is of primary importance for the diagnosis of liver diseases, although in the pathology of other organs, the activity of the enzyme can also be increased.

The main reasons for the increase in GGTP activity are:

• stagnation of bile - cholestasis;
• death of liver cells - cytolysis;
• the influence of alcohol;
• taking medications;
• development of the cancer process;
• damage to other organs.

All these changes can be caused by external influences, as well as internal reasonsleading to damage to the liver and other organs.

Cholestasis syndrome

Liver pathology is often characterized by bile congestion. Cholestasis is the most common cause of increased gamma-HT activity. In this case, the indicator can increase 5 or more times compared to the norm. Cholestasis is characterized by a violation of the formation of bile and its excretion from the biliary system into the duodenum.

If these disorders are associated with the pathology of the liver itself, then they speak of intrahepatic cholestasis. Its reasons may be:

• viral hepatitis;
• cirrhosis of the liver;
• primary and secondary sclerosing cholangitis;
• toxic damage (alcoholic, drug).

If stagnation is associated with a violation of the excretion of bile from the extrahepatic ducts, then this condition is called extrahepatic cholestasis. The main reasons are:

• cholelithiasis;
• tumors in the bile ducts;
• cancer of the head of the pancreas or stomach, leading to compression of the common bile duct.

Under the influence of bile acids, enzymes are released from cell membranes, including gamma-HT. All this begins to enter the bloodstream. Skin acquire a yellow tint, itching is noted. A number of other symptoms appear. In the blood, in addition to the increase in GGTP, there is an excess of alkaline phosphatase, cholesterol, and bile acids. Urobilinogen appears in the urine. ALT and ASAT increase to a lesser extent.

To combat cholestasis, you must first eliminate the cause. If they are stones or tumors, then they should be removed. If necessary, hepatoprotectors are used. To improve the formation and outflow of bile, choleretic drugs are prescribed:

Cytolysis syndrome

The death of liver cells is accompanied by the release from them and the penetration of enzymes into the bloodstream, including gamma-HT. Cytolysis is observed in viral and toxic liver damage (alcohol, drugs, toxins). Autoimmune damage is also possible in systemic diseases, for example, in systemic lupus erythematosus. At the same time, antibodies are produced to the liver tissue, which cause negative changes.

But the main role is played by the hepatitis B and C viruses, which may not manifest themselves for a long time. Changes in the biochemical blood test are discovered by chance, and after a number of additional studies, a diagnosis of chronic viral hepatitis is established. If the process is acute, then gamma-HT increases in the blood before aminotransferases (ALT, AST). At the height of the disease, its activity becomes less, but this indicator also normalizes much longer.

Liver damage can be caused by the Epstein-Barr virus, which is the cause of the development infectious mononucleosis... In this case, inflammation of the pharynx, enlarged lymph nodes and fever are characteristic.

Hepatotoxic poisons have a severe damaging effect:

• toadstool toxins;
• arsenic;
• cyanides;
• phenol and its derivatives;
• pesticides;
• bacterial toxins.

To improve the condition of the liver and bring the enzymes back to normal, it is necessary to find out and eliminate the cause of such changes. In this situation, hepatoprotectors come to the rescue, thanks to which the cell membranes of hepatocytes are restored and the liver function normalizes.

For treatment can be used:

The influence of alcohol

Alcohol stimulates the production of GGTP. This is in addition to the direct toxic effect. In people who drink a lot and often, the degree of increase in this indicator clearly depends on the amount of consumed ethyl alcohol... This test can be successfully used to detect alcoholism, as well as to monitor treatment. When refusing alcoholic beverages for 10 days, the activity of gamma-HT in the blood is reduced by 50%.

The only recommendation here is to stop drinking alcohol. Otherwise, alcoholic liver disease will develop, manifested by its fatty infiltration (fatty hepatosis) with subsequent atrophy of the liver cells. The next step is alcoholic cirrhosis. And these are already irreversible changes.

The effect of drugs

Many drugs that have a hapatotoxic effect affect the increase in the formation of the enzyme. These include:

• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - paracetamol, indomethacin, nimesulide, aspirin, diclofenac;
• antibiotics - amoxiclav, tetracycline, doxycycline, clarithromycin, levofloxacin, nitrofurans, sulfonamides, cephalosporins;
• anti-tuberculosis drugs - isoniazid, rifampicin;
• hormonal agents - estrogens, androgens, anabolic steroids, corticosteroids;
• antipsychotics - chlorpromazine, haloperidol;
• barbiturates - phenobarbital;
• anticonvulsants - benzonal, carbamazepine, diazepam;
• antineoplastic drugs;
• antifungal agents - amphotericin, griseofulvin, ketoconazole, fluconazole;
• drugs for anesthesia - ethers, halothane, chloroform;
• cardiovascular drugs - anticoagulants, nifedipine, captopril, diuretics, enalapril, amiodarone, losartan, antianginal, statins;
• other groups - azathioprine, allopurinol, methotrexate.

This is not the whole list. The induction of liver enzymes is often combined with direct toxicity and cholestasis. If, against the background of treatment, an increase in the activity of liver enzymes is found, then the drug is canceled and replaced with another. Hepatoprotectors help restore impaired liver function.

Tumor damage

Significant increase in GGTP is observed in liver cancer, both primary and with the appearance of metastases. The enzyme activity can be increased in cancer of the pancreas, as well as prostate cancer in men. This indicator decreases during the period of remission, increases with the progression of the disease.

The increase in gamma-HT is due to many factors: cell death, stagnation inside the ducts, and toxic effects against the background of cancer intoxication.

There is only one way out of the situation - the treatment of cancer surgically or with the help of chemotherapy. But chemotherapy itself can cause an increase in the activity of liver enzymes.

Other reasons

Since the enzyme is present in most organs, its increase can be observed in various diseases:

1. Inflammation of the pancreas - pancreatitis.
2. Diabetes mellitus, which is often associated with the pathology of the pancreas.
3. Hyperfunction thyroid gland - thyrotoxicosis.
4. Severe heart failure, in which congestion develops and cardiac cirrhosis of the liver is formed.
5. Kidney disease: glomerulonephritis with nephrotic syndrome, pyelonephritis, renal failure.
6. Neurological diseases.
7. Injuries.
8. Diseases of the brain.
9. Burn (peak increase in gamma-HT after about 10 days).
10. Taking hormonal drugs for the thyroid gland.

Nevertheless, the determination of gamma-HT is the most sensitive test for liver pathology, even more informative than other markers: ALT, ASAT, alkaline phosphatase. And if it rises, then the reason should be sought first of all here. Monitoring such an indicator can be used to assess the effectiveness of treatment.

A very difficult article, not for my level 🙂 but it was still interesting to read, thanks!

Thank you very much. I read and understood everything. Very affordable and detailed.

Very good, accessible article, thank you very much. The most important thing is on time for me. They did an ultrasound scan, then they sent me to donate blood, gamma-HT is off scale. I'll go re-hand it over. How many times I am convinced that you should never stop at one doctor. Before diagnosing myself, yes, yes, I was not mistaken in saying that I was making a diagnosis for myself, because no one needs us, thank God, I never had to consult a doctor until I was 63, I came to see a doctor for the first time with abdominal pain, one doctor looked, another, one answer "there is nothing of mine," in the end she spat on everything. I pass the tests myself, I prescribe an ultrasound and an MRI for myself, then I look for an answer to my questions on the Internet. You can't get to the polyclinic at your place of residence, you have to sign up for a month, during this time you can die and fix more than one commemoration. In short, long live the Commercial Clinics and the Internet. It's just not clear why we need insurance policies?

The therapist said - “the tests are normal!” But when I myself began to compare my results general analysis blood with the norm - horrified! Yes, in my case, it is difficult to determine what is the reason for the 2-fold increase in the gamma of HT, BECAUSE of pathologies many, many medications are taken after cardiac surgery. But the therapist "everything is normal", as we are treated by the specialists of the local clinic. There is no limit to indignation!

Gamma Glutamyl Transpeptidase (GGT)

Gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) is an enzyme that can be found in many parenchymal organs. He participates in the exchange of nucleic acids and the "building" of protein molecules.

Most of all gamma-glutamyl transpeptidases are found in the kidneys, liver and pancreas. In addition, the enzyme is present in the brain, intestines, spleen and skeletal muscles, in the prostate gland. Inside the cell, GGT is located in the membrane, in the cytoplasm, in the lysosomes.

Determination of the level of GGT in the blood is used to diagnose liver diseases. In practically healthy people, the concentration in the blood is constant, GGT enters the blood with natural death of liver cells.

An increase in GGT in the blood is characteristic of diseases of the liver and biliary tract, which are accompanied by impaired outflow of bile (cholestasis). High activity of GGT is characteristic of inflammation of the gallbladder (cholecystitis), biliary tract (cholangitis), for obstructive liver diseases. The level of GGT exceeds the norm by 5-30 times. This is gallstone disease, helminthiases, tumors. In cholangitis and cholecystitis, the level of GGT significantly exceeds the rise in ALT and AST, which increase slightly.

Infectious hepatitis is accompanied by a slight increase in GGT (2-4 times), in this case, the definition of AST and ALT is more informative.

GGT increases with alcohol abuse. Therefore, in people who often use it, the level of the enzyme can be increased even in the absence of liver or pancreatic diseases.

An increase in the concentration of GGT in the blood may indicate an oncological process in the liver, and the level of the enzyme increases almost from the very beginning of tumor formation.

Inflammation of the pancreas and its tumors lead to an increase in the level of GGT by 5-10 times.

High GGT is also characteristic of prostate cancer.

Indications for analysis

Diagnostics of liver diseases, accompanied by impaired outflow of bile, and their differential diagnosis.

Dynamic observation of patients with chronic hepatitis.

Diagnostics of the liver, prostate, pancreas cancer.

Preparation for research

From the last meal to blood sampling, the time interval should be more than eight hours.

On the eve, exclude fatty foods from the diet, do not take alcoholic beverages.

Do not smoke 1 hour before taking a blood test.

Blood for research is taken in the morning on an empty stomach, even tea or coffee is excluded.

It is permissible to drink plain water.

Research material

Decoding the results

GGT in women, U / l

GGT in men, U / l

0 to 6 months

From 6 months to 1 year

From 1 year to 12 years

1. Cholestasis in case of blockage of intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile ducts: cholangitis, cholecystitis, gallstone disease.

2. Sharp viral hepatitis.

3. Toxic liver damage.

5. Fatty liver.

6. Tumors of the liver.

7. Malignant tumors of other organs with liver metastases.

8. Acute and chronic pancreatitis.

9. Tumors of the pancreas and prostate.

10. Kidney disease (exacerbation chronic pyelonephritis or glomerulonephritis).

11. Taking medications: rifampicin, oral contraceptives, phenobarbital, paracetamol, cephalosporins, acetaminophen.

Choose the symptoms that bother you, answer the questions. Find out how serious your problem is and whether you need to see a doctor.

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GGT in a biochemical blood test

Gamma glutamyl transferase or GGT for short last years gained popularity in the diagnosis of diseases such as jaundice, cholangitis, cholecystitis. According to the reliability of the results of diagnostics, GGT is preferable to indicators of such enzymes as ALT and AST.

Considering the functional importance of the liver, without the clear work of which, the body remains virtually without protection in the event of malfunctions in its work. And in recent years, it turned out that the sensitivity to slowing down the movement of bile in the liver itself, as well as in the bile ducts, is higher in GGT.

For this reason, the GGT test was included in the mandatory set of liver tests. By the way, chronic alcoholism is also determined using the same test.

What is GGT in a blood test

In the cells of the intestine, brain, heart, spleen and prostate, there is a low activity of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (abbreviated as GGTP or GGT). Have healthy person GGT is found in blood cells in a minimal amount, this is due to the normal process of cell renewal in the body. However, an increase in the amount of this enzyme in the bloodstream is always associated with pathological processes and indicates the destruction of the cells in which it is contained.

Given the high concentration of GGT in kidney, liver, and pancreas tissue, it is considered a sensitive marker of diseases of these organs. Gamma glutamyltransferase reacts most quickly and brightly to damage to the hepatobiliary system.

GGT functions

Gamma glutamyltransferase is involved in the processes:

• amino acid metabolism;
• metabolism of inflammatory mediators.

Despite the fact that the concentration of GGT in the renal epithelium is higher than in the liver, serum concentrations (determined in the blood) of predominantly hepatic origin. Most of the GGT destroyed in the kidneys is excreted in the urine.

In what cases is an analysis assigned to the GGTP

The study of the indicators of this enzyme in serum is informative for:

• monitoring alcoholism;
• diagnostics of diseases of the liver, gallbladder and bile ducts;
• monitoring malignant tumors, their recurrence and spread of metastases;
• diagnostics of the causes of alkaline phosphatase increase
• monitoring the effectiveness of treatment of diseases of the hepatobiliary system;
• the appearance of complaints indicating damage to the liver, gallbladder or ducts (darkening of urine, lightening of feces, itching of the skin, jaundice, etc.);
• diagnosis of extrahepatic pathologies, in combination with other studies.

The reasons for the increase in GGT in the blood

With severe bile congestion (cholestasis), the level of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase begins to increase earlier than alkaline phosphatase. However, when interpreting the analyzes, it must be borne in mind that GGT can react sharply to any diseases of the hepatobiliary system. Therefore, an increase in GGT must always be correlated with the activity of ALT and AST.

In jaundice, the ratio of GGT to ALT is a direct indicator of an increase in bile stagnation relative to the destruction of cellular structures.

The degree of increase in gamma glutamyltransferase will be in direct proportion to the dose and frequency of drinking. Therefore, GGT is often used to control alcohol withdrawal.

In addition to damage to the liver by alcohol, this enzyme also reacts to the development of drug-induced hepatitis when taking hepatotoxic drugs (tetracyclines, sulfonamides, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, diuretics, etc.).

The next reason for the increase in GGT is primary malignant tumors of the hepatobiliary system or liver metastases. Benign neoplasms, as a rule, do not give such changes in the analyzes, since their growth is not accompanied by the destruction of healthy tissue and severe intoxication. The exceptions are tumors that lead to obstruction (blockage) of the bile ducts and contribute to the development of obstructive jaundice.

Among other "bile" reasons for the growth of gamma HT in analyzes, there are gallstone disease, acute and chronic cholecystitis.

Also, gamma glutamyl transferase reacts to cancer of the pancreas and prostate glands.

In addition to toxic (drug, alcoholic) liver damage and malignant tumors, GGT increases with:

• acute and chronic viral hepatitis;
• non-infectious hepatitis;
• infectious mononucleosis;
• fatty hepatosis;
• cirrhosis;
• severe poisoning.

In addition to diseases of the hepatobiliary system, GGT can increase with damage to other organs and the use of certain medications, in particular, this enzyme is increased with:

• myocardial infarction (here the cause is not only myocardial damage, but also the process of activating the recovery processes occurring in the heart muscle and hepatic parenchyma, in this regard, the maximum increase in GGT occurs in the third week after a heart attack);
• kidney damage (chronic glomerulonephritis and amyloidosis);
• taking antiepileptic and anti-tuberculosis drugs;
• rheumatoid arthritis;
• hyperthyroidism;
• obesity;
• diabetes mellitus.

GGT can decrease with hypothyroidism and prolonged use of large doses of ascorbic acid.

Gamma GTP Analysis

It is necessary to take the analysis on an empty stomach. It is important to remember that the enzyme is very sensitive to alcohol consumption.

Indicators of gamma glutamyl transferase

It must be remembered that children under six months of age have normal enzyme levels higher than adults by 2 to 4 times. This is due to the peculiarities of metabolism. Also, the indicators differ between men and women.

Normal indicators in units / l are levels up to:

• 185 for babies of the first five days of life;
• 204 from 5 days to 6 months;
• 34 from six months to a year;
• 18 from one to three years old;
• 23 from three to six years old;
• 17 from 6 to 12 years old;
• 33 (for women) from 12 to 17 years old;
• 45 (for men) from 12 to 17 years old.

The norm for gamma glutamyltransferase for women over 17 years old ranges from six to 42.

Please note that reference values \u200b\u200b(i.e. mean values) may differ from laboratory to laboratory. This does not mean that the difference will be dramatic. But, depending on the equipment used, there may be differences. In any case, if there are problems, the result that does not fall within the value of the norm will be highlighted in red.

GGTP increased. Treatment

Actually general treatment does not exist. It is important to understand that an increase in gamma glutamyltransferase is not an independent disease. It is a sensitive marker of a pathological process in the body. Given the variety of reasons for its increase, it is necessary to conduct a thorough examination and identify the cause of the increase in GGT.

General recommendations for reducing gamma glutamyltransferase, if they are caused by liver damage, include avoiding alcohol and smoking. And also adherence to a diet that excludes the use of fried, fatty and spicy foods. If necessary, a course of hepatoprotective drugs is prescribed.

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The reasons for the increase in GGT in the blood and methods of normalization

Many patients have heard the phrase of the attending physician that the level of gamma glutamyltransferase is increased. However, not everyone knows what this means, why such a deviation has occurred, whether it is possible to return normal GGT values, and how to do it.

GGT is a specific protein that accumulates in the liver tissues, spleen, kidneys and prostate gland (in men). However, the highest percentage of the concentration of this substance is observed precisely in the liver, therefore, when the doctor tries to find out the exact reasons that the gamma of GTP is increased, he, first of all, sends the patient for examination of the functioning of this particular organ. Liver tests are one of the most informative and often prescribed tests. It is with its help that the level of GGT is determined and the necessary treatment is prescribed.

Liver problems as a cause of elevated GGTP levels

There are quite a few reasons why the HT gamma is increased, and quite often they are associated with impaired liver function. These include:

• cholestasis;
• cytolysis;
• long-term exposure to alcoholic toxins on the body;
• uncontrolled or prolonged reception medicationsthat disrupts the liver;
• the presence of an oncological process in the liver.

It is necessary to briefly consider the most common causes of increased GGT in the blood separately.

Cholestasis, or bile stasis

Gamma glutamotransferase is increased due to stagnation of bile - what does this mean? This means that the patient's body has developed a pathology associated with the liver, gallbladder or its ducts. Moreover, cholestasis is not a separate disease - it is a symptom of one of the many liver ailments. These are:

• hepatitis;
• cirrhosis;
• sclerosing cholangitis (primary or recurrent);
• damage to the baking by the decay products of ethanol;
• liver dysfunction due to medication.

These are just the reasons that gamma globulin is elevated in adults, which are directly related to the functioning of the liver. If other factors can cause the development of cholestasis syndrome. These include:

• Gallstone disease (cholelithiasis);
• presence of benign or malignant neoplasms in the area of \u200b\u200bthe gallbladder or its ducts;
• oncology of the gastric or pancreas head.

Note. Treatment for cholestasis depends on the underlying cause. Until it is accurately established, no action can be taken.

Cytolysis

Cytolysis is another reason that GGTP levels may be elevated. This is another symptom that occurs due to:

To find out for which of the above reasons the GGT indicator is increased, only the doctor can, and only after receiving results for liver enzymes, as well as after instrumental research (in particular, ultrasound of the liver and gallbladder).

Alcohol intoxication

Even the highest quality alcoholic products can cause serious intoxication of the body if strong drinks were taken in excessive quantities. Even a small dose stimulates the production of gamma HT, so it is easy to imagine what happens in the body when a large amount of ethanol is supplied.

Therefore, before you panic and wonder what it means if the level of gamma glutamyltransferase, or ggt, is elevated in blood biochemistry, remember if you didn’t take alcohol the day before or 2-3 days before the test.

Taking medications

If GGT in the biochemical blood test is increased, but there are no deviations in the patient's health, then a sharp increase in the level of this protein may be a consequence of the effects of medications belonging to the groups:

• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
• antimicrobial medicines;
• antimycotic agents;
• anesthetics;
• hypotonic drugs;
• anticoagulants;
• diuretics;
• statins;
• antianginal drugs;
• immunosuppressins, etc.

And this is not the whole list of groups of medications that can lead to an increase in the level of GGT in blood biochemistry. It is possible to find out exactly which substance caused such a deviation on the basis of the patient's information about the drugs he had previously taken, as well as after conducting a laboratory blood test.

Tumor processes

If the GGTP analysis is increased by 2 or 3 times, this may indicate the appearance of a tumor-like neoplasm in the liver, gallbladder or its ducts. In this case, the level may increase further if the metastatic phase takes place. During the period of remission, the gamma glutamyltransferase levels decrease to normal levels, but with an exacerbation, the level of this protein rises again.

Hepatitis

If, in the analysis for GGTP, the protein level is increased 2 times or more, this may indicate that the patient is infected with viral hepatitis. In this case, the patient is given additional instrumental and clinical researches, which either confirm the diagnosis, or completely refute it.

Other reasons for the increase

If the gamma glutamyltransferase is increased several times, this may indicate:

• diabetes mellitus;
• pancreatitis;
• thyrotoxicosis;
• heart failure, proceeding in severe form and contributing to the development of cardiac cirrhosis of the liver;
• renal pathologies: pyelonephritis, glomerulonephritis, accompanied by nephrotic syndrome, chronic renal failure;
• neurological pathologies;
• mechanical injuries;
• pathologies of GM;
• burns of 3-4 degrees of severity;
• taking hormonal medications prescribed to normalize thyroid function.

And yet, according to doctors, if the level of gamma HT is increased by 2 times or more, the cause should be looked for in the liver. Many liver pathologies for a long period of time may not give themselves away, so the only way to detect them is to test for GGTP.

In men

If the level of ggt is elevated in a biological blood test in men, then in most cases this indicates a malfunction of the prostate gland. However, it should be borne in mind that if we compare the indicators of this protein in the blood of male and female patients, then in the former they are always much higher. This is due to the physiological characteristics of the male body. The fact is that gamma glutamyltransferase in them accumulates in the prostate gland, kidneys and liver, which cannot but be reflected in the results of biochemical blood tests.

But if there is a pathological process, then it is possible to explain why the level of gamma HT in the blood test in men is increased by several factors:

• prostate cancer;
• disorders in the work of the prostate;
• transferred or latent course of liver disease;
• chronic alcoholism.

On a note. High level GGT in men can be a consequence of the abuse of hormonal drugs to enhance potency. In order not to harm the liver, and not lead to a serious disruption of the balance of hormones in the body, the intake of such medications and their dosage must be agreed with the doctor.

Among women

The reasons that the level of gamma HT is elevated in women may be hidden in disorders of the mammary glands, thyroid gland or kidneys. However, problems with the functioning of the gallbladder and disruptions in the hormonal background cannot be excluded from this list.

So, if GGT is increased several times, this may indicate the development of a malignant tumor in the patient's mammary glands. The level of this protein in the blood will rise as the carcinogenic process spreads. Especially high rates are noted at the stage of metastasis of breast cancer, and this condition is already potentially life-threatening for a woman.

If the gamma glutamyltransferase is increased, but no abnormalities in the work of internal organs were found, the patient may be prescribed a hormone test. It is especially important to conduct it if a woman has been taking oral hormonal contraceptives for a long period of time. When you stop taking, the level of gamma HT returns to normal in 7-14 days.

It has been proven that women suffer from such pathologies as thyrotoxicosis twice as often as men. Therefore, if a blood test showed that the gamma of HT is increased, it is necessary to carefully examine the patient for the presence of abnormalities (in this case, hyperfunction) of the thyroid gland.

In pregnant women, the level of this protein in the blood can also increase significantly. First of all, this is due to the load on the kidneys. In addition, the development of pyelonephritis or glomeluronephritis in expectant mothers, alas, is far from uncommon.

Liver problems, a sharp increase in weight and disturbances in the work of the heart muscle are not excluded. All these factors can also lead to an increase in the GTP gamma in the blood.

Is it possible to normalize the level of GGT protein?

In most cases, it is impossible to independently normalize the level of GGT in the blood without therapy for the pathology that caused its deviation from the norm. But if the factors that the GGT in the blood test is increased are:

• obesity;
• improper nutrition;
• unbearable physical activity;
• abuse of hormonal drugs to enhance potency or prevent unwanted pregnancy;
• excessive alcohol consumption,

then the situation is quite fixable, and does not threaten a person with serious consequences. To fix it, you just need to revise and change your lifestyle and diet.

But if the ggt in the blood test is increased with pancreatitis, heart attack, or kidney diseases, it will be impossible to reduce these indicators without the help of a doctor. In this case, one diet that excludes all junk food cannot be avoided. It is quite possible that the patient will need immediate hospitalization, followed by therapeutic procedures aimed at completely curing the disease or bringing it into a phase of long-term remission. In the presence of malignant tumors, the patient may undergo emergency surgery.

If GGT and ALT are increased several times, which indicates the presence of serious liver problems, the patient needs drug therapy. In parallel, he is also prescribed a therapeutic diet that will reduce the effects of junk food on the liver and gallbladder.

To avoid an increase in the level of GGTP in the future, you must carefully monitor your health and regularly undergo preventive medical examinations. Do not neglect the rules of healthy lifestyle and proper nutrition... This does not mean that you have to give up all your favorite foods or your favorite sports. You just need to give your body proper attention, give it the opportunity to rest and recover. Only then health problems will not cause a significant decrease in the quality of human life.

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