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Gastroenterology (Expert Forum)
GGT LEVELS
Answered by
Kevin Pho, MD - Internal Medicine
KevinMD.com
This forum is for questions regarding Gastroenterology issues such as Acid Reflux (GERD), Barretts Esophagus, Colitis, Colon/Bowel Disorders, Crohn's Disease, Diverticulitis/Diverticulosis, Digestive Disorders, IBS, Stomach Pain.
GGT LEVELS
by Ribeiro, May 31, 2005 12:00AM
Dear sirs: Sometime in February I had several blood tests done and I had high levels of ALT AST and GGT. My doctor had me repeat the tests a few weeks later and the ALT and AST were normal but GGT was high 68. Then I remembered that around the middle of January I had caught what I thought was a very nasty cold and for that I was taking a 500 mg aspirin a day and after I got no result I took penicilin out of date and after 3 or 4 I got a rash all over my chest and back and stopped taking the medicin all together because aspirin was also making my stomach hurt.
Since the GGT level was still high my doctor has had me do several tests to rule out Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, but on the last test I did on May 20th, unless I was vacinated for HAV, I did get it then. I showed EBNA IgG- pos,VCA IgG - pos VCA IgM - Neg,HAV TOTAL (Elisa) Pos, HAV IgM (Elisa)Neg,GGT 79. This means that I am imunized against hepatitis A,either because I got the virus sometime in the past or I was vacinated.Although I was vacinated inumerous times during my 64 years I doubt that it was ever against HAV. MY question is am I a carrier of HAV? Can I contagiate others?Also is this possible since I see no HAV ever mentioned in connection with high GGT levels. I had no sexual contacts since at the time my wife was in the hospital after a stoke. Never in my life have I had any homosexual contact.
Since the GGT level was still high my doctor has had me do several tests to rule out Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, but on the last test I did on May 20th, unless I was vacinated for HAV, I did get it then. I showed EBNA IgG- pos,VCA IgG - pos VCA IgM - Neg,HAV TOTAL (Elisa) Pos, HAV IgM (Elisa)Neg,GGT 79. This means that I am imunized against hepatitis A,either because I got the virus sometime in the past or I was vacinated.Although I was vacinated inumerous times during my 64 years I doubt that it was ever against HAV. MY question is am I a carrier of HAV? Can I contagiate others?Also is this possible since I see no HAV ever mentioned in connection with high GGT levels. I had no sexual contacts since at the time my wife was in the hospital after a stoke. Never in my life have I had any homosexual contact.
Doctor's Answer
by Kevin Pho, MD, Jun 02, 2005 12:00AM
, Jun 02, 2005 12:00AM
Acute illness is normally diagnosed with the IgM anti-hep A, of which you are negative. Thus, it is unlikely that this is an acute infection of the disease.
The IgG anti-hep A antibody remains elevated for decades. Hepatitis A is normally transmitted via the fecal-oral route and can be spread with close personal contact. Frequent handwashing and improved personal hygiene are highly effective in preventing the transmission of the virus.
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.
Medical Weblog:
kevinmd_b
The IgG anti-hep A antibody remains elevated for decades. Hepatitis A is normally transmitted via the fecal-oral route and can be spread with close personal contact. Frequent handwashing and improved personal hygiene are highly effective in preventing the transmission of the virus.
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.
Medical Weblog:
kevinmd_b
