Game Levels

I have had blood taken and the results showed an enzyme from my liver which should have been around 35 but was in fact 40.  I do not drink much (about 1 unit a week) and was told that this was too high.  Further tests showed a gama level to high.  What does all this mean?

[Kevin Pho, MD]

Hello - thanks for asking your question.

The most common laboratory measures classified as liver function tests (LFTs) include the enzyme tests (principally the serum aminotransferases, alkaline phosphatase, and gamma glutamyl transpeptidase), the serum bilirubin, and tests of synthetic function (principally the serum albumin concentration and prothrombin time).

The gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) test helps to detect liver and bile duct injury. While some doctors use it in all people they suspect of having liver disease, others use it only to help explain the cause of other changes or if they suspect alcohol abuse. For example, both ALP and GGT are elevated in disease of the bile ducts and in some liver diseases, but only ALP will be elevated in bone disease. If the GGT level is normal in a person with a high ALP, the cause is most likely bone disease. GGT can also be used to screen for chronic alcohol abuse (it will be elevated in about 75% of chronic drinkers).

GGT is increased in most diseases that cause acute damage to the liver or bile ducts, but is usually not helpful in distinguishing between different causes of liver damage. For this reason, use of GGT is controversial, and guidelines published by the National Academy of Clinical Biochemistry and the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases do not recommend routine use of GGT. These guidelines suggest that it can be useful in determining the cause of a high ALP. In persons with a history of alcohol abuse who have completed alcohol treatment, GGT may be used to monitor compliance with the treatment program.

Elevated GGT levels indicate that something is going on with your liver but not specifically what. In general, the higher the level the greater the