Blood test GGT?
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Blood test GGT?
What is your GGT ? As for me in the last 8 years, it happened once when this was within limits (below 80), usually it stays at 90-110.
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Do you mean gamma glutamyltansferase?
If so, its one of the enzymes measured when undergoing a "Liver Function Test."
I'm not sure what units you are using, (?i.u/L) but if your levels are raised, it does need some investigating, although if the other levels are stable, your quack (sorry, Doctor), should be able to rule out most serious causes in his consulting room, and by sending you for more blood tests.
Isolated raised GGT can be a sign of prolonged excess alcohol intake, but this isn't always the case.
Do you drink, and if so how many units per week?
See
http://gpnotebook.com/simplepage.cfm...28073629828550
If so, its one of the enzymes measured when undergoing a "Liver Function Test."
I'm not sure what units you are using, (?i.u/L) but if your levels are raised, it does need some investigating, although if the other levels are stable, your quack (sorry, Doctor), should be able to rule out most serious causes in his consulting room, and by sending you for more blood tests.
Isolated raised GGT can be a sign of prolonged excess alcohol intake, but this isn't always the case.
Do you drink, and if so how many units per week?
See
http://gpnotebook.com/simplepage.cfm...28073629828550
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It can sometimes be raised by medication, and rarely other causes, although alcohol is usually the suspect. 1 unit is half a pint of low strength beer or a small glass of wine.
Your readings are slightly elevated, but it sounds like they have remained unchanged over the last 8 years?
It's worth discussing with your doc, if everything else is in order, I wouldn't have thought he'd be too worried.
You could try and see what effect not drinking for 6months has on your GGT.
Your readings are slightly elevated, but it sounds like they have remained unchanged over the last 8 years?
It's worth discussing with your doc, if everything else is in order, I wouldn't have thought he'd be too worried.
You could try and see what effect not drinking for 6months has on your GGT.
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GGT raised more often than not by alcohol or stones (the latter can be silent stones - as in not giving any symptoms)
Abstain and repeat and if still up for some more extensive liver function tests and an ultrasound scan.
Borderline raised levels should return to normal in a week if it is alcohol related.
Even moderate amounts of alcohol can give a rise the day following ingestion of the alcohol.
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Abstain and repeat and if still up for some more extensive liver function tests and an ultrasound scan.
Borderline raised levels should return to normal in a week if it is alcohol related.
Even moderate amounts of alcohol can give a rise the day following ingestion of the alcohol.
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Isolated GGT levels without any other abnormalities are due to alcohol almost all the time. Gallstones in the common bile duct are almost always quite symtomatic and associated with other blood test abnormalities.
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Turned up to a screening medical once with a score of 96 on their GGT. (after week in Thailand)
Max permissible was 60.
Since then I keep it in the 40-50 and have it tested annually,
Make sure you stay "dry" atleast 4 weeks before any employment screenings, if you drink like me!
Max permissible was 60.
Since then I keep it in the 40-50 and have it tested annually,
Make sure you stay "dry" atleast 4 weeks before any employment screenings, if you drink like me!
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Indeed , if 4 weeks before bloodtest ,you drink only ''softs'' , GGT will be within lilmits, otherwise, it stays beyond 100 u/L......last test was 107....not so bad....(max is 80).What's yours??
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Are GGT's tested for when the take a vial of blood at the lipid test, age 40?
ggt's) if your taking a drug ending in the word "statin."
Doubt an AME would do this routinely.
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I had raised GGTs after my Doctor tested me once. I get checked becaus of the medication I take for high BP. However the test was unannounced and just after Valentines night dinner with my pregnant wife. Naturally I was forced to imbibe the entire contents of a bottle of wine all by myself
No wonder it was high.
He sent me a letter which just stopped short of suggesting the phone number of the nearest AA group. I went back later, properly fasted and without any wine in my system and passed easily.
So learned not to have any drink for a couple of days before a visit. Which isn't hard in my case because having a giggling one year old boy who sits on your head at 6 in the morning and pulls your hair, hangovers are to be avoided.
No wonder it was high. He sent me a letter which just stopped short of suggesting the phone number of the nearest AA group. I went back later, properly fasted and without any wine in my system and passed easily.
So learned not to have any drink for a couple of days before a visit. Which isn't hard in my case because having a giggling one year old boy who sits on your head at 6 in the morning and pulls your hair, hangovers are to be avoided.
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Haemachromatosis
Any abnormal liver function tests - ask your doc to check for haemachromatosis please. Its a hereditary disease not often picked up until some level of damage has been sustained - totally unnecessary as its easily managed without medication.
I have a sibling who needed both hips replaced before the age of 40 and has chronic arthritis due to this condition being undiagnosed for far too long.
Medics assumed abnormal liver tests were due to excess alcohol consumption despite the fact that he's teetotal. (yes really)
I have a sibling who needed both hips replaced before the age of 40 and has chronic arthritis due to this condition being undiagnosed for far too long.
Medics assumed abnormal liver tests were due to excess alcohol consumption despite the fact that he's teetotal. (yes really)
