Gamma GT alk phos

Dear Dr.  Thank you for taking a moment to answer my ? My mother is 54 yrs old non smoker (now) 4'8" and weighs appx 195 pounds does not drink however she has suffered from sinusitis and head aches so she would take tylenol and sinus meds daily she had her gallbladder removed over 25 years ago.  Well she had gone in for some test and a physical. Her alkaphosphate came back elevated at 141 then her gamma gt came back at 85 all of her other test came back fine including her sgot that came back fine as well. The week they did these test she was taking robitussin for a cough. however she did fast for 12 hours before the blood test and the alkaphos and gamma gt still show elevated. They did an u/s on her liver those results are coming in on tues.

I have been looking on line and would like to know
what does are some causes for a gamma gt to be elevated?

what are some causes for the alkaphos being elevated?

Her dr. has mentioned a fatty liver...if it is a fatty liver what can be done?

Is it likely that it is something more serious ie: cancer or cirhosis?

They also tested her for mitro conab (i think that is how it is spelled) and that came back neg.
What is that used for?

They did a titer but we do not know what that is for ...what is a titer?
Is that done in conjunction with the mitro?

if so why?

I know it is a lot of ?? and i so appreciate you taking time to answer them.  May God bless you and give you health and happiness.  

~Lisa

ps: she had a chest xray last year and it was clear (not sure if one has anything to do with another but thought i would let you know that as well)

she is always complaining that her breast hurt her back.. and that she is tired. she sufers from asthma so she is always short of breath. that is what caused the dr. to give her a physical and  do these blood test


I know it is a lot of ?? and i so appreciate you taking time to answer them.

~Lisa

[Kevin Pho, MD]

To answer your questions:
1) Most cases of an elevated GGT would come from liver disease - specificlly alcoholic hepatitis.  However, it is not specific to the liver as pancreatic disease, myocardial infarction, renal failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or diabetes can also elevate this level.

2) Alk phos can also be elevated by various hepatobiliary diseases.  However, it can also be elevated by many bone disorders.  A GGT is typically ordered in conjunction to differentiate liver/gallbladder disease from bone disease.

3) Depends on the cause.  If it is due to alcohol - abstinence from alcohol is recommended.  If it is not due to alcohol (NASH - non-alcoholic steatohepatitis), exercise and weight loss is recommended.

4) Can't say whether it is anything more serious without examination.  The ultrasound will help make this determination.

5) Anti-mitichondrial antibodies is used to test for primary biliary cirrhosis.

6) A titer is a measure of the concentration of the antibody - if present.  If there is more of the antibody present - the more likely that one has to consider PBC is present.

You can discuss these questions with your personal physician.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
kevinmd_b

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Hello dr. i was diagnozed with hepatitis c approx 6 months ago. i dont use drugs and i suspect i contacted it by a tattoo i got 2 yrs ago. i also have an in-opperatable hiatus hernia at the top of my stomach which sort of hangs over the top of my oesophegus.. I am taking 80mg of somac per day as well as panadine forte and mirtazapine. I am constantly feeling ill. I have a candida infection which i suspect is inside my hernia and the whiteness from it comes all the way up my gullett to the tip of my toungue and most days i have no appetite and no desire for food. my last blood tests showed my gamma gt at 3700. My blood test the week before that showed my gamma gt at 2200 and i am going to have tests on my gall bladder,splene,pancreas and liver in 2 days. My problem is that i feel like i have been poisoned all the time. when i go to hospital the only relief they can give me is a losec drip and some morphine to try to get me settled. i usually leave hospital of my own accord as those drugs seem to work but the next morning i'm back to square one again. The way i feel is very hard to describe to the hospital staff and alot of times i have been referred to the hospital care co-ordinator because they think im having panik attacks. this may be the case as what i am experiencing is very depressing. Do you know if there is any way i can stop the candida returning. Funglin drops and pills dont work and all meds my doctor gives me dont seem to work. most nights i often awake gasping for air and frightened through lack of breath. i also would asppreciate it if you could give me any ideas of how to "gain" an appetite. i'm 75kgms now but when all this first started i was 56.5 kgms and i dont want to return to that weight again.
Thank you for your time. Roll