What is GAMMA GT Analysis

GAMMA enzyme GT

Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase-GGT is found in several parts of the body, such as: the heart, brain, kidneys, and pancreas , but its highest concentration is in the liver , and it is usually found in low levels in the blood. The liver and bile ducts are affected by diseases or tumors, the level of which rises in the blood, and it is the first liver enzyme to rise in the event of problems with the bile ducts, so it is considered one of the most important and sensitive liver tests to detect diseases of the bile ducts. And since it rises due to many liver problems such as: liver cancer, viral hepatitis, and other non-liver conditions such as; Coronary syndrome, it is considered one of the tests that are not useful in determining the exact cause of the disease, so it is recommended to do this test and combine it with several other tests to determine and know the accurate diagnosis and differentiate between liver disorders and diseases,And the bile duct , and also to distinguish if its height is due to diseases and problems in the organs of other parts of the body, such as: the bones. It should be noted that this enzyme may also be elevated in alcoholics. However, it can be used as a test to screen for alcohol dependence . ^{[1] [2] [3]}

GAMMA GT Analysis

The doctor requests the GGT test if there is a suspicion of problems or damage to the liver, and several things must be taken into consideration before taking this test, such as: fasting for eight hours before the test, not consuming some types of drugs, and not drinking any amount of alcohol, no matter how small, so as not to be affected The result of the examination, and the GGT level test is performed after a blood sample is drawn, which is taken from the person’s arm in the medical laboratory, and the test result usually appears on the next day, then the doctor decides what the appropriate diagnosis is after reading the results. From 9-48 units / liter, and this value may differ slightly according to the age and sex of the individual. And as mentioned previously, the doctor may need other tests to determine the exact cause, and it can be said in general that the higher the level of this enzyme in the blood, this indicates that the damage in the liver is greater. ^{[4] [5]}

The reasons for the high level of the GAMMA GT

The normal level of GGT in men is 11-50 IU / liter, and for women 7-32 IU / liter, but there are some behaviors and many health problems that lead to an increase in its level in the blood, and some of them are mentioned below: [6] [7]

• Diseases, tumors, and liver damage.
• Congestive Heart Failure.
• Drinking alcohol.
• Use of some types of medicine: Lipid-lowering drugs, antibiotics , antifungals , and antidepressants.
• Cases of kidney failure and diabetes.
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
• Obesity and weight gain.

Other checks

Liver function tests measure certain enzymes and proteins in the blood whose levels, if they are not within the normal level, indicate a specific problem in the liver. Some of these tests are as follows: ^{[8] [9] [10]}

• ALAT: ; This enzyme is mainly found in the liver, and in smaller quantities in the kidneys and other organs, and the body uses it to break down food and convert it into energy, and in normal cases its presence in the blood in low levels, but if it is found in high levels, it can be an indication of liver damage, and it is usually recommended. With this examination in the event that a person is exposed to the hepatitis C virus, or in cases of alcoholism, or if the person has a family history of liver disease, in addition to cases of the appearance of some symptoms, such as:
  • Yellowing of the skin and eyes, which is called jaundice .
  • Bloating and pain in the stomach.
  • Vomiting and nausea.
  • Physical weakness and general fatigue.
  • Feeling of itchy skin .
  • Change the color of your urine so that it becomes darker than before.
  • Changing the color of the stool to become fluffy.
• Albumin test: , albumin is a protein made in the liver, and it has many vital functions in the body, and it is usually used to measure the efficiency of the work of the liver, as the normal range of its concentration in the blood ranges between 3.5-5 grams / dL if it is decreased Moreover, this could be a sign of liver problems, and it should be noted that low albumin levels can also accompany cases of malnutrition , exposure to some types of infections and infections, and kidney disease.
• Alkaline phosphatase test: , which is an enzyme found in the bones, bile ducts, and liver, its presence helps to break down proteins, and it also has an important role in liver function and in the development of bones in the human body, and it usually reaches its level The normal level is 120 units / liter in adults, and if its levels differ from the normal limit, this may indicate the presence of problems related to the liver, bones or gallbladder, but there may be some non-pathological conditions that lead to an increase in its levels beyond the normal limit, such as: periods of pregnancy and periods of bone growth in Children and teenagers.
• Bilirubin test: is bilirubin a waste resulting from the decomposition of red blood cells, and in normal handling the liver of these residues to get rid of them, but in the case of the liver is damaged to a large extent, you will not be able to function properly and processing bilirubin, and it should be noted Indicates that the normal range for the level of bilirubin in the blood ranges between 0.1-1.2 mg / dL, and if the level in the blood is high, this may indicate a health problem in the liver or some genetic diseases .
• Aspartate aminotransferase-AST test: This enzyme is found in the muscles, heart and liver, and because of this, its different levels are not considered a sure evidence of liver damage, but it is required along with other tests to increase the accuracy of the diagnosis, and the normal level of this enzyme reaches 40 IU / liter in adults, and its level in the blood usually increases due to problems and diseases in the liver and muscles .

References

1. ↑ "Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase (GGT)" , labtestsonline.org , Retrieved 2-10-2019.
2. ↑ "Gamma glutamyl transferase" , www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov , Retrieved 2-10-2019.
3. ↑ "Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) blood test" , www.mountsinai.org , Retrieved 2-11-2019 .
4. ↑ "Gamma-Glutamyl Transpeptidase (GGT) Test" , www.healthline.com , Retrieved 2-10-2019.
5. ↑ "Blood Test: Gamma-Glutamyl Transpeptidase (GGT)" , kidshealth.org , Retrieved 2-10-2019.
6. ↑ "GGT Test" , labtestsonline.org.uk , Retrieved 10-2-2019.
7. ↑ "raised or high GGT" , www.gpnotebook.co.uk , Retrieved 11-2-2019.
8. ↑ "Liver Function Tests" , www.healthline.com , Retrieved 11-2-2019.
9. ↑ "What is an Alanine Aminotransferease (ALT) Test?" , www.webmd.com , Retrieved 11-2-2019.
10. ↑ "What do abnormal ALP levels mean?" , www.medicalnewstoday.com , Retrieved 11-2-2019.