This forum is for questions about medical issues and research aspects of
Hepatitis C such as, questions about being newly diagnosed, questions about current treatments, information and participation in discussions about research studies and clinical trials related to Hepatitis. If you would like to communicate with other people who have been touched by Hepatitis, please visit our new
Hepatitis Social/Living with Hepatitis forum
Gamma-glytamyl transpeptidase is an enzyme which is found in hepatocytes and biliary epithelial cells. GGT may be high in liver disease. In particular it is a feature of biliary outflow obstruction rather than hepatocellular damage.
* GGT (in men) = 11 - 50 i.u./l
* GGT (in women) = 7 - 32 i.u./l
Note reference ranges may vary between laboratories.
GGT serum measurement provides a very sensitive indicator of the presence or absence of hepatobiliary disease. However the usefulness of measurement of serum GGT is limited by its lack of specificity. Raised GGT levels have been reported in a variety of clinical conditions including (1):
* pancreatic disease
* myocardial infarction
* chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
* renal failure
* diabetes
* alcoholism
Drugs such as phenytoin and barbiturates may cause high GGT levels (2).
The reported sensitivity of a raised GGT for detecting alcohol ingestion has ranged from 52% to 94% (3,4).