Ggt in the biochemical blood test is increased, which means. The reasons for the increase in ggt in the blood and methods of normalization Blood test ggtp decoding norm

01.12.2019

Bile is produced in liver cells and is secreted through a system of microtubules called bile ducts. They then combine into the hepatic ducts that extend outside the liver and form a common bile duct that flows into small intestine... Bile is essential for the absorption of fats from food. Also, some medicinal substances are excreted through the bile. It is formed constantly, but enters the intestines only during and after meals. When it is not needed, it accumulates in gallbladder.

Gamma glutamyl transpeptidase is an enzyme found in the cells of the liver and biliary tract and is a catalyst for certain biochemical reactions. It is not contained in the bloodstream, only in cells, when destroyed, their contents enter the bloodstream. Normally, some of the cells are renewed, so a certain GGT activity is found in the blood. If many cells die, its activity can increase significantly.

The GGT test is the most sensitive test for bile stasis - cholestasis. The activity of GGT when obstructing the outflow of bile, for example, with stones in bile ducts, increases earlier than the activity of alkaline phosphatase. However, this increase is nonspecific, since it occurs in most acute diseases liver and bile ducts, for example, in acute viral hepatitis or cancer, and usually this result is not very informative in identifying a specific disease or condition that caused liver damage.

Unlike other liver enzymes, the production of GGT is "triggered" by alcohol, so in those who abuse it, its activity can be increased even in the absence of liver disease. In addition, the production of GGT is stimulated by some drugs, including phenobarbital and paracetamol, so while taking them, you can expect an increase in GGT without damaging the liver.

GGT is also found in the kidneys, spleen, pancreas, brain, prostate, and the increase in its activity is nonspecific only for liver disorders.

What is research used for?

To confirm a disease of the liver and bile ducts, especially if there is a suspicion of blockage of the biliary tract with stones in the bile duct or with a tumor of the pancreas.
To monitor the effectiveness of treatment for alcoholism or alcoholic hepatitis.
For the diagnosis of diseases affecting the biliary tract - primary biliary cirrhosis and primary sclerosing cholangitis.
To determine what is causing the increase in activity alkaline phosphatase, - liver disease or bone pathology.
To monitor the condition of patients with diseases in which GGT is increased, or to assess the effectiveness of their treatment.

When is the study scheduled?

When performing standard diagnostic panels that can be used for routine medical examinations, in preparation for surgery.
When performing "liver tests" used to assess liver function.
With complaints of weakness, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain (especially in the right hypochondrium), jaundice, dark urine or lightening of feces, skin itching.
If you suspect alcohol abuse or when monitoring patients who are being treated for alcoholism or alcoholic hepatitis.

A biochemical blood test provides valuable information about the state of human health. One of the important indicators of biochemistry in women is GGTP, or gamma-glutamyl transferase.

What is GGTP?

Gamma-GT (synonyms - gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase, GGTP, gamma-glutamyltransferase) is an enzyme that is produced during a number of biochemical processes. This substance takes part in the metabolism of amino acids, is regularly found in the membranes of cells and inside them. Most of all it is present in such organs:

If gamma-HT is elevated, the causes in women may lie in diseases of the listed organs. Since women do not have a prostate, the level of gamma-HT will normally be lower than in men. In small quantities, gamma-glutamyltransferase is present in other organs, but its value is not decisive.

An increase in the indicator never goes unnoticed, it always signals the body's trouble. Most of all GGTP is in the liver tissues, therefore, their damage should be excluded first.

In women, a value of 6-32 IU / liter is considered the norm, or 10-66 units / liter (depending on the measurement in a particular laboratory).

For comparison, for men, the figure is 18-100 units / liter, for children it varies by age. It is worth mentioning the most common reasons for the growth of the indicator in women:

A blood test is taken on an empty stomach, it is prepared within a day. After that, the doctor draws conclusions about the possible prerequisites for increasing the enzyme.

How to detect an increase in gamma-HT?

With a number of symptoms, it can be suspected that the gamma-HT value in women is increased. Only a slight increase in it can prevent clinical picture... Usually, for all pathologies of the hepatobiliary system that accompany the growth of gamma-HT, there is stagnation of bile. This condition can manifest itself:

No less often, the patient develops dyspeptic disorders - nausea, vomiting, diarrhea. Sometimes constipation occurs instead of diarrhea. Since the reasons for the increase in GGTP can even be heart disease, they can be accompanied by chest pain, pallor, fainting, shortness of breath.

Cholestasis is the main reason for the increase in

With pathologies of the hepatobiliary system, cholestasis occurs - this condition means that bile reduces the rate of excretion. The reason is both the termination of its transport along the biliary tract, and the slowdown in production in the liver.

The concentration of gamma-HT in women most often increases due to liver disease.

Blocking the outflow of bile can be noted at advanced stages of cirrhosis, with severe fatty hepatosis. If the level of AST and ALT of the liver is simultaneously increased, one can suspect viral hepatitis A, B, less often C. Outside inflammatory process the level of gamma glutamyltransferase increases with toxic liver damage, poisoning, sclerosing cholangitis. Everything specified diseases cause intrahepatic cholestasis, which is also accompanied by an increase in bilirubin.

Extrahepatic cholestasis, when the work of the ducts outside the liver is disrupted, can give the same consequences. This means that the gallbladder is affected in such diseases:

All these pathologies often cause a concomitant increase in alkaline phosphatase in the blood. Treatment will focus on improving bile flow and blocking inflammation.

Tumor processes

Cancer of the liver and other organs of the hepatobiliary system is primary and metastatic. If cancer cells multiply in organs, liver function tests and gamma-HT begin to be released in an increased volume. With large tumors, there is a serious excess of the indicator in the decoding of the analysis - 10 times or more.

On initial stages oncology, the excess of the enzyme can be moderate.

Among other things, a pancreatic tumor can cause changes in the analyzes. This organ is responsible for the production of a number of amino acids, which include gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase.

Therefore, after treatment, the amount of the enzyme in the blood stabilizes, and with relapse it usually increases. A moderate increase in the number can indicate the presence of cysts and other benign tumors.

Other possible reasons

Regular examinations and blood tests are recommended for anyone undergoing long courses of treatment. Many tablets cause cytolysis (cell death) of the liver. This provokes the ingestion of a large number of liver enzymes into the bloodstream. In women, this often happens with the course of taking estrogens, corticosteroids.

Viral. In this lesion, the leading place is given to hepatitis B, C. They may not appear in the body for a long time. There is another infection that leads to the destruction of the liver - the Epstein-Barr virus. Promotes infectious mononucleosis.
In liver cancer, an increased gamma glutamate transferase GGT is observed. An excess of the enzyme norm is also noted with malignant formations in the pancreas and prostate. Cancer is treated with chemotherapy or surgery. Chemotherapy also kills the liver and may cause an increase in gamma glutamyl transpeptidase in the patient's blood.
Cirrhosis. Chronic irreversible changes in liver tissue. The proliferation of connective tissue is observed. At the same time, the number of normally functioning cells decreases. Liver failure sets in.
Cholelithiasis. Quite a common anomaly. Stones form both in the gallbladder and in the ducts. While they are resting in the gallbladder, the patient is not aware of his pathology, but the level of GGT will differ from normal. It's more difficult with the ducts. Blockage of the duct with a stone causes severe pain.
Tumors in the bile ducts. A rare event. They arise in the bile ducts inside and outside the organ. They are found during blood tests for biochemistry or during the removal of gallbladder stones.

The liver performs a number of functions without which a person's life stops. Diagnosis using markers is essential for early detection of liver, gallbladder and duct problems to ensure timely and complete treatment.

The indicator of gamma glutamyltransferase comes to the rescue, which with a reliability of 90% indicates an organ pathology.

Foods, medicines, toxins - anything that damages the liver

The reasons for the increase in the level of gamma GT

The reasons for the increase in the body of the enzyme GGT are disturbances in the work of human internal organs. However, for a more accurate identification of the results of the study, the patient should first prepare before passing the analysis in order to avoid false results. This is especially true when drinking alcohol before donating blood for research.

GGT is an enzyme by which you can determine chronic alcoholism... For this, a blood test for this enzyme is carried out several times. The level of the enzyme with a one-time consumption of alcohol returns to normal over time.

In chronic alcoholics, the concentration of the enzyme in the blood remains elevated for a long time. Also, the concentration of GGT remains elevated in alcohol poisoning.

In addition to alcoholism, changes in the concentration of gamma HT in the venous blood are caused by diseases such as:

diabetes;
myocardial infarction;
infectious mononucleosis;
lupus erythematosus;
acute or chronic pancreatitis;
pancreas cancer;
botkin's disease;
hepatitis B and C;
cholecystitis;
hyperthyroidism;
stones in the gallbladder and its ducts;
cirrhosis;
cholelithiasis;
tumors in the liver;
obstructive jaundice;
sclerotizing cholangitis;
pyelonephritis or glomerulonephritis;
kidney tumors;
heart failure.

In addition, the reason for the increase in content in blood GGT the reception can become:

aspirin;
barbiturates;
antibiotics;
antidepressants;
some hormonal drugs;
antifungal agents.

Conducting a study to determine the concentration of HT is not always sufficiently accurate and reliable to determine the signs of an existing disease in a person.

sudden weight loss;
jaundice;
itchy skin;
darkening of urine;
clarification of feces;
increased skin pigmentation.

What to do when increasing GGTP

If, according to the results of the analysis, the indicator is increased, you need to consult a doctor: it is not necessary to adjust and reduce the level of the enzyme itself, but the disease, which provoked its increase. So, if it is increased due to the use of alcohol, then you need to give up the abuse of ethyl alcohol.

The doctor who should be consulted in matters related to the increase of the enzyme is hepatologist.

To make a final diagnosis, it is necessary to use additional diagnostic methods - X-ray, ultrasound, blood tests for hepatitis.

Preparation for research

The enzyme level is affected by certain medications that are taken in large dosages, as well as alcohol.

To determine GGTP, blood sampling is carried out on an empty stomach, the day before the study, alcoholic beverages, fatty and smoked foods should be excluded, which can distort the clinical picture.

It is necessary to warn the doctor about the medications taken the day before or heavy physical exertion.

In this case, the analysis will be false.

Treatment and correction of indicators

The goal of treatment is to eliminate the primary cause of the disease, which led to this result... The main point of application is the effect on the membrane of liver cells.

In this situation, hepatoprotectors will help, thanks to which the cell membranes of hepatocytes are restored and the function of the organ is normalized.

Treatment with folk remedies

For the complex improvement of the liver, it is advised to use traditional medicine, which helps to effectively restore liver cells.

There are a number of collections and herbal remedies, the main component of which are plants (chicory, milk thistle). Decoctions are good for stagnant bile, the presence of stones in the gallbladder.

GGT - gamma-glutamyltransferase (synonym - gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase, GGTP) is an enzyme (protein) involved in the exchange of amino acids in the cells of the body. It is found mainly in the cells of the kidneys, liver and pancreas. But a small amount can also be found in the spleen, brain, heart, intestines. It is located in the cell itself (in the membrane, cytoplasm and lysosome), but when it is destroyed, it enters the bloodstream. The low activity of this enzyme in the blood is considered normal, since the cells are renewed, but if a significant part of the cells die, the serum activity in the blood rises sharply... The highest content of the enzyme is located in the kidneys, but despite this, the source of serum GGT activity is mainly the hepatobiliary system. The analysis for the content of GGTP serum in the blood is the most sensitive laboratory indicator for almost all liver lesions and diseases:

cholestasis
obstructive liver damage (intra- or post-hepatic obstruction) - the indicator is increased 5-30 times the norm
cholecystitis, cholangitis, jaundice. In these diseases, the GGT test is more accurate, since it appears earlier than other liver enzymes (for example) and persists for a longer time.
infectious hepatitis - exceeding the norm by 3-5 times. In this case, it is better to focus on the AST and ALT indicators.
fatty degeneration of the liver - increased 3-5 times from the norm
drug intoxication
pancreatitis (acute and chronic)
alcoholic cirrhosis
primary and secondary neoplastic liver diseases. The increase in serum enzyme levels in the blood is more pronounced than ALT and AST

Also, the GGTP indicator can be increased against the background of changes unrelated to liver diseases:

malignant diseases of the pancreas and prostate
taking certain medications (for example, paracetamol and phenobarbital)
alcohol abuse

When an analysis is scheduled

on routine medical examinations (rarely)
in preparation for surgical interventions
in the diagnosis of liver damage
for suspected pancreatic and prostate cancer
monitoring of already identified malignant diseases
to assess the toxicity of drugs taken
suspicion of alcoholic cirrhosis, hepatitis.
monitoring the treatment of patients with chronic alcoholism
with complaints of jaundice, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, pain in the right side of the abdomen

How is the blood test

The analysis for gamma-glutamyltransferase belongs to and is included in the group of so-called liver tests, along with such indicators: alkaline phosphatase, cholesterol, albumin and others.

Most often, for this analysis venous blood is taken... Standard preparation:

the analysis is carried out on an empty stomach. The last meal should be no later than 8 hours. Before the analysis itself, you can drink a small amount of water
exclude fatty foods and alcohol in a couple of days
if you are taking medications, be sure to notify your doctor about this, and if you can temporarily suspend the administration, do so
exclude heavy physical activity
ultrasound and fluoroscopy may affect the result, keep this in mind
some physiotherapy procedures are prohibited

Indicator standards

The indicators depend on the age, gender and even race of the patient. Also, the results are influenced by equipment and units of measurement, so it is extremely important to conduct all research in one laboratory so that the dynamics of changes is accurate. Or, if this is not possible, when decoding, take into account the units of measurement (U / l, U / ml or μkat / l, where 1 U / l \u003d 0.0167 μkat / l).

More high rates in men due to the presence of enzymes in the prostate gland. Infants have such high values \u200b\u200bdue to the fact that in the first days of life the source of this enzyme is the placenta, and only then gradually the liver becomes it.

In pregnant women, serum levels in the blood depend on the period of pregnancy:

What can affect the result

The following factors can affect the results of the GGT analysis:

long-term intake ascorbic acid can reduce performance
paracetamol, aspirin, testosterone, oral contraceptives, statins (drugs that lower cholesterol in the blood), antidepressants, antibiotics, histamine blockers and some others medications increase the level of GGTP
in obese patients, the indicators may be overestimated

NOTE! It is imperative to evaluate the results and dynamics of changes in combination with other biochemical blood tests -, ALT, LDH, lipase, alkaline phosphatase, and others. Almost all changes in the level of gamma-glutamyltransferase occur together with changes in the parameters of other enzymes. Especially for the correct diagnosis, the ratio of the indicators of this enzyme and ALT with AST is important.

Level up

If the normal level of GGT content is increased, this is primarily a marker of liver and hepatobiliary tract diseases. Since it is her serum of all liver samples that is most sensitive to damage to hepatocytes (liver cells), if the level of activity is increased, then we can say with 90% accuracy that it is hepatotoxicity. But the fact that the level is increased can be caused by other factors:

diseases of the biliary tract
very high levels along with alkaline phosphatase can be a sign of autoimmune diseases of the biliary tract (primary biliary cirrhosis and sclerosing cholangitis)
heart failure
mammary cancer
myocardial infarction
lung diseases
arthritis
lupus erythematosus
hyperthyroidism

Decrease in indicators

Decreased levels of gamma glutamyl transpeptidase are rare.

There are only three main reasons for its decline:

in patients undergoing treatment for alcohol dependence, after a month of therapy, the level can be significantly reduced. This is due to the absence of ethanol, as the main stimulator of enzyme synthesis in liver cells, to which the body is accustomed
hypothyroidism
receiving some medicines (e.g. chlofibrate)

How to normalize the level

It is impossible to normalize the GGT level in isolation from the treatment of the disease that caused it.

But if follow all doctor's recommendations and follow all the instructions, the indicators quickly return to normal. For example, in patients with alcohol dependence, the decrease occurs within a month. As a prophylaxis for changes in the normal level, it is necessary to lead a healthy lifestyle and timely undergo diagnosis and treatment of all diseases that can lead to disorders.

A blood test is an important indicator in the diagnosis of almost all diseases. With a number of serious pathologies of the body, the level of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGTP) rises in the blood, which is confirmed by the analysis. What leads to an increase in GGTP in the blood?

General information about the "level of GGTP" in the blood

GGTP is an enzyme called gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase that is involved in the exchange of amino acids in the body. Serves as a catalyst in the transfer of gamma-glutamyl residues from the peptide of the same name (gamma-glutamyl) to another peptide or to an amino acid. GGTP is predominantly accumulated in the kidneys, pancreas and liver.

In a newborn child up to six months of age, the level of this enzyme may exceed the value of GGTP in an adult. Depending on gender, the level of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase is also different. In women and adolescent girls, its value is 1 / 3-1 / 4 lower than that of men.

The indications for the delivery of this analysis are:

diagnostics of liver pathologies;
kidney disease;
monitoring the course of treatment for prostate cancer, pancreas;
suspicion of radiation damage to the liver;
when assessing the hepatotoxicity of medications;
screening for alcoholism.

A blood test for GGTP is taken on an empty stomach. A small amount of water is allowed. Do not take medicine. The day before the test, you should give up fatty, fried and alcohol. Not allowed and physical exercise... In addition, you cannot donate blood for gGTP research after performing an X-ray, ultrasound and other similar procedures, otherwise the result will not be accurate.

What causes the level of GGTP in the blood to rise?

The normal level of GGTP is 10.4-33.8 IU / L (8-61 IU / L) in men and 8.8-22.0 IU / L (6-36 IU / L) in women, depending on the use of a particular technique and equipment. laboratory as well as established standards. If the numbers differ from the fixed indicators, this indicates an existing pathology - the presence of a specific disease.

Of great importance for determining the reasons that caused the increase in GGTP in the blood is a competent interpretation of the analysis. If the numbers are significantly increased, a biochemical blood test should be repeated to confirm the previous one. Only a specialist should decipher the analysis in order to correctly determine the cause of the increased value.

It is believed that 5 processes occurring in the body can affect the increase in the activity of GGTP. These include:

alcohol intoxication;
tumor growth;
drug intoxication;
cytolysis;
cholestasis.

The main reasons for the increase gGTP level the presence of the following diseases may appear in the blood:

cirrhosis or liver cancer;
congestive or hemolytic jaundice;
acute hepatitis;
kidney pathologies;
infectious mononucleosis;
diabetes mellitus, pancreatitis;
pancreatic or prostate cancer;
hyperfunction thyroid gland;
alcoholism.

An increase in the level of this enzyme also occurs after a kidney transplant, with hyperthyroidism, after taking certain medications. GGTP values \u200b\u200bnever increase in myocardial infarction and bone diseases.

Liver damage and blood GGTP levels

Despite the highest activity of gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase in the kidneys, an increase in serum GGT values \u200b\u200bis observed, first of all, in the hepatobiliary system (a marker of cholestasis).

The level of the enzyme GGTP increases with any liver pathology. This indicator is especially high in cases of hepatic obstruction, the numbers can exceed the permissible norms from 5 to 30 times. A high level of the enzyme is also recorded in the case of neoplastic liver diseases, in particular in the diagnosis of a primary tumor, as well as in the presence of liver metastases.

The level of GGTP in the blood is more sensitive in comparison with other analyzes in the diagnosis of cholecystitis, obstructive jaundice and cholangitis.

Exceeding the norm by 2 to 5 times (moderate changes) may indicate the presence of:

infectious hepatitis;
fatty degeneration of the liver;
diabetic ketoacidosis.

In patients with diagnoses of "pancreatitis", "alcoholic cirrhosis", as well as those suffering from malignant disease of the pancreas, the levels of the GGT enzyme can increase from 5 to 15 times.

It is especially important to carry out this analysis with prolonged alcohol abuse. In such patients, the level of GGPT in the blood may directly depend on the amount of alcohol consumed, so the test can be used to control the treatment of alcoholism. If the use of alcoholic beverages is stopped, the activity of the enzyme in the blood can decrease by up to 50% within 10 days.

The enzyme gamma glutamyltransferase, or GGT, is present on the surface of liver cells and renal tubules. It also exists in other tissues, but in smaller quantities. This substance is actively involved in the exchange of amino acids, the elimination of inflammatory mediators, which shows GGT in the blood.

There are several names for the enzyme. Along with "gamma glutamine transferase" can be found in biochemical analysis forms:

gamma glutamine transpeptidase;
GGTP;
GGTP;
Gamma GT;

In a cell, gamma glutamyltransferase is located on the outer membrane, in lysosomes and cytoplasm. Most of the superficially located enzyme is found on the secreting organs: the activity of GGT of the liver, renal tubules, and pancreas is increased. In other tissues, GGT is also present, but intracellularly.

In the blood, the value of gamma glutamyl transpeptidase, determined by biochemical analysis, reflects the state of the liver and biliary tract, although the concentration of this enzyme in the lumen of the renal tubules is high, but a significant part of it is excreted in the urine.

The functions of GGTP are to catalyze the transport of gamma-glutamyl residue from one peptide, amino acid or other molecule to another. This means participation in protein metabolism that occurs in all cells of the body.

Indications for analysis

Since gamma glutamine transferase ggt reflects functions in the liver and biliary tract, the enzyme blood test will be a marker of damage to these anatomical structures.

The indications for transpeptidase studies are:

jaundice;
diagnostics of hepatitis even in anicteric form;
dark urine but colorless stool;
pain in the right hypochondrium accompanied by bitterness in the mouth;
the phenomena of nausea, vomiting, impaired appetite and food digestion;
liver function tests are necessary before surgery;
if an increase in other indicators of ALT, AST, ALP has already been found in the blood;
suspicion of alcoholic liver damage;
differential diagnosis of cholestasis and inflammatory destruction of the parenchyma;
assessment of the result of treatment of alcoholism, cholecystitis, hepatitis and other pathologies;
identification of the hepatotoxic effect of drugs.

Gamma Glutamyl Transferase Norms

Table 1. The norm of GGT in women and men.

The blood GGT enzyme normally exhibits minimal activity due to the physiological renewal of liver cells. For men and women, the indicators are somewhat different. This indicator is measured in U / L and the rate may differ slightly when analyzing in laboratories.

In children under 17, age affects the amount of enzyme as shown in the table below.

Table 2. The norm of GGT in children.

Reasons for deviation of ggt from the norm

There are a number of reasons why GGT is increased in the biochemical blood test. They are associated with various liver pathologies. Of great importance is the endogenous effect of hepatitis viruses, obstruction of the bile ducts of the liver with stagnation of bile, and the intake of hepatotoxic substances. Diseases in which GGT in the blood is increased:

acute viral hepatitis, alcoholic, toxic, cryptogenic;
chronic hepatitis of any nature;
liver cirrhosis, cancer;
cholecystitis, cholelithiasis of gallstones;
choledocholithiasis - stones in the bile duct (choledoch);
blood disease;
admission medications, drugs;
alcohol intake;
fatty hepatosis caused by pregnancy, hormonal or nutritional disorders;
neoplasms of the liver and pancreas, in which there is a blockage of the biliary tract;
hepatic vein thrombosis - Budd-Chiari syndrome;
hereditary diseases (hemachromatosis, bn Niemann-Pick, Gaucher, Wilson-Konovalov, etc.);
liver damage with Epstein-Barr viruses, enteroviruses;
helminthiases localized in the bile ducts and liver (echinococcosis, opisthorchiasis);
congestion due to heart failure, postinfarction condition.

GGT and alcohol

Even if there is no hepatitis, which is observed with alcoholism, but a person drinks alcohol, GGTP is elevated in the blood. Alcohol activates the synthesis of gamma glutamine transferase in people, even with a healthy liver.

By the GGT enzyme, one can judge how effectively the treatment for alcohol dependence is being treated and whether the patient has failed. If GGT remains high during treatment, then with a high probability we can talk about the continuation of alcohol intake or the development of alcohol-induced inflammatory processes.

It should be noted that alcohol consumption without the development of hepatic pathology is accompanied only by an increase in GGTP, while alkaline phosphatase and ALT remain without deviations.

Tab. 3. Differential diagnosis liver diseases.

What drugs cause an increase in GGTP

There are a number of medications that result in high gamma hormone therapy. These include:

Phenobarbital;
Phenytoin;
NSAIDs and, to a greater extent, Paracetamol;
Nifedipine;
Carbamazepine;
Tricyclic antidepressants;
Chlorpromazine;
Sex hormones;
Erythromycin, Clindamycin, Amoxicillin;
Azathioprine;
Propafenone;
Cyclosporine;
Arotivofungal agents;
Sulpiride;
Nitrofurans;
Captopril;
H2 receptor blockers and others.

Interpreting Results

When decoding the analysis, you can find out the reason for the increase in GGT, depending on how much the enzyme jumped, whether there is an increase in GGT together with the level of deviation of other liver tests, clinical symptoms.

5x magnification

If the level of GGTP is less than 5 times higher than the norm, this indicates:

possible drinking;
pathology of the heart with blood congestion;
taking drugs that provoke the release of GGT.

Increase 5-10 times

When there was an increase in GGT within 10 times, then you can think about:

chronic or acute hepatitis;
cirrhosis;
cholecystitis and gallstone disease without acute blockage of the ducts;
illness of others is vital important organs - kidney, pancreas;

Increase more than 10 times

If the amount of GGT in the blood tenfold prevails over the norm, then this indicates an acute stagnation of bile with damage to the hepatic ducts, which occurs when:

hepatitis;
JCB and calculous cholecystitis with duct obstruction;
biliary cirrhosis of the liver;
tumors and metastases;
helminthic invasions of the biliary system;
acute and chronic liver failure;
primary sclerosing cholangitis.

Most of all, GGT increases with cholestasis than with damage to the liver parenchyma. Therefore, along with the deviation of GGTP, other enzymes also undergo changes. A joint increase in alkaline phosphatase and gamma glutamyl transpeptidase indicates an obstacle to the outflow of bile - cholecystitis, stones in the ducts.

If the deviation of GGT is associated with an increase in ALT, then we are talking about hepatitis, cirrhosis and other processes that damage liver cells, and bile stagnation in this case arises as a secondary phenomenon.

Along with GGT, if liver damage is suspected, an analysis should be performed:

ALP alkaline phosphatase;
ALT and AST;
general and direct bilirubin;
protein fractions;
general blood analysis;
Ultrasound of the abdominal organs.

Consequences of an increased GGTP

Given the localization of the enzyme gamma glutamyltransferase and its diagnostic value, then with its increase, one can judge the severity of the disease and the severity of liver damage. The enzyme itself in the blood is not harmful. With untimely treatment, the consequences of such an increase are associated with an underlying pathology. The rise in liver enzymes leads to:

the transition to chronic forms of the disease;
the development of jaundice;
perforation or inflammation of the bile ducts with the development of peritonitis;
malignant degeneration of liver cells and so on.

How to get tested correctly

To determine the content of GGT in the blood, you must adhere to a list of very simple rules:

do not eat 8 hours before donating blood from a vein;
if possible, refrain from taking any medications;
you can not drink alcohol and use drugs;
do not engage in exhausting sports.

How to lower blood GGTP

It is impossible to reduce in isolation the raised gamma glutamine transferase in the blood, because it only reflects the pathological process in the hepatobiliary system. Therefore, diagnosis and treatment should be aimed at removing the underlying disorder, it is necessary to eliminate the cause.

To bring the enzyme gamma glutamine transferase back to normal, you should:

to carry out treatment for alcohol dependence;
take medications specific for viral hepatitis;
timely eliminate the violation of the outflow of bile surgically: remove stones, gallbladder, helminthic obstruction, neoplasm, etc.
take funds to normalize bile outflow (Allohol, Urolesan, Holenzim, Liobil);
eliminate or replace drugs if possible, causing damage liver;
take hepatoprotectors to restore hepatocytes - Essentiale, Rezalut;
during an attack of biliary colic, use antispasmodics - No-shpa, Papaverine, Spazmaton;
consuming plants with a positive effect on the liver and biliary tract: corn stigmas, milk thistle, tansy, immortelle, rose hips, artichoke. Barberry.

Treatment should take place under the strict supervision of a doctor, all drugs have side effects and require an individual appointment!

Bile is formed in the liver cells, which is necessary for the absorption of fats from food and the removal of some medicinal substances... The process of formation of bile 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 study in relation to is the GGTP test. What kind of analysis is this, what information does it give and how is it carried out? We will talk about this in this article.

GGTP: general information

In the cells of the liver, as well as in the biliary tract, there is an enzyme, which is a kind of catalyst for some biochemical reactions. It is called GGTP (gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase) and is contained only in cells, when destroyed, it enters the bloodstream. Since the renewal of some of the cells is a completely normal process, the presence of a small amount of GGTP in the blood is acceptable. However, when a significant number of cells are destroyed, a large amount 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 the GGTP

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

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

It is worth focusing on the last point. Alcohol and certain medications affect the production of GGTP. What does it mean? The fact that the amount of the 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 test for GGTP 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 the suspicion of blockage of the biliary tract (in the presence of a tumor of the pancreas or stones in the bile ducts);
for the diagnosis and biliary cirrhosis (primary);
to determine the cause (bone pathology or liver disease);
to monitor the condition and treatment success of a patient who has an increased GGTP.

We can say about GGTP that it is the enzyme most sensitive to liver and biliary tract diseases. Its level rises faster than alkaline phosphatase, for example. That is why it is especially valuable in the diagnosis of 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 performed? The specialist who should be contacted for questions related to gamma glutamyl transpeptidase is a hepatologist. There are several situations where it is important to know the content of this enzyme in the blood:

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

2. In the presence of nausea, vomiting, constant weakness, abdominal pain, itchy skin, clarification of feces or darkening of urine, with jaundice.

3. In case of alcohol abuse or patient treatment for alcoholic hepatitis.

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

For research, venous or capillary blood is taken. In the process of applying a tourniquet and puncture of the vein, not very pleasant sensations may arise, which the doctor usually warns about in advance. In addition, in preparation for the diagnosis, the patient is informed about a number of important rules... So, twelve hours before the analysis, it is necessary to stop eating, and half an hour before it - do not smoke, avoid physical or emotional stress. This will get the correct data.

Research results and their significance

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

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

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

Causes of increased GGTP levels

If, as a result of the study, elevated 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:

all kinds of damage to the liver and biliary tract - obstructive jaundice, scars, stones or swelling in the bile ducts, cancer of the stomach or head of the pancreas;
cirrhosis of the liver - normal liver tissue is replaced by scar tissue, as a result of which the functions of this organ are disrupted;
liver cancer or metastases that have spread to the liver with tumors of other organs;
hepatitis (both acute and chronic), including alcoholic;
infectious mononucleosis;
autoimmune damage to the biliary tract, leading to primary biliary cirrhosis or sclerosing cholangitis;
acute inflammation;
liver metastases 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 the increase in the level of GGTP. One way or another, they are all associated with the work of the liver. In addition, this enzyme is found in the pancreas, spleen, kidneys, prostate (albeit in smaller quantities). Therefore, diseases of these organs also affect its level in the blood. However, the increase in the concentration of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase is nonspecific only in case of liver dysfunction. The reasons for the decrease in GGTP may be a decrease in thyroid function and decompensated cirrhosis.

Conclusion

In this article, we examined such an important enzyme as GGTP. What it is and why its level is determined was also told. We learned what it can be connected with and what changes in its concentration in the blood indicate, as well as when an analysis for GGTP is prescribed and how it is performed. We hope this information was useful to you.