ggt

[georgy78]

how long does it take after stopping alcohol completely for GGT levels to drop to normal?

[CoWriter]

Elevated GGTP is associated with insulin resistance (and also with fatty liver).  

Co



Dig Liver Dis. 2009 Aug

Elevation of serum gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (GGTP) activity is frequent in chronic hepatitis C, and is associated with insulin resistance.

Benini F, Pigozzi MG, Pozzi A, Bercich L, Reggiani A, Quattrocchi D, Distefano L, Donati P, Cesana BM, Lanzini A.
Gastroenterology Unit, University and Spedali Civili, Piazzale Spedali Civili, 1, 25126 Brescia, Italy.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Serum gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase level is often increased in patients with chronic hepatitis C, and we aimed to identify factors associated with this phenomenon in patients completely abstinent from alcohol (teetotaller). PATIENTS AND METHODS: 71 teetotaller patients have been identified by personal history, questioning of relatives, CAGE questionnaire administration and unscheduled alcoholemia measurements. RESULTS: 39 patients (55%) had elevated (>50IU/L) gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase level. Body mass index, insulin and C-peptide level, insulin resistance, piecemeal necrosis score > or =3, fibrosis score > or =2 and steatosis score > or =1 were significantly higher in these patients than in those (n=32) with normal gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase. At multiple linear regression analysis gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase level was associated with C-peptide level, insulin resistance and histopathologic grading. At multiple logistic regression analysis, C-peptide level (OR=2.13) and piecemeal necrosis score > or =3 (OR=4.59) were the only factors independently associated with elevated gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase. Sustained virological response during pegylated interferon plus ribavirine treatment was achieved by 97% and 49% patients with normal and elevated gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase, respectively (p=0.0001). CONCLUSION: Serum gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase level is often elevated in chronic hepatitis C and is associated with metabolic and inflammatory factors; this phenomenon may contribute to explain and to predict resistance to treatment in this subgroup of patients.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19131283?ordinalpos=57&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_DefaultReportPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum

[annieCinMD]

Mine has always been a little high. My doctor told me it is normal for someone who has had past alcohol abuse to be high for this reading, and not to worry about it. I'm talking many years in the past, not a recent recovery. I used to get liver function tests every 6 months through my primary doctor before I decided to treat just to monitor it. He told me ALT, AST going up will give indication of a possible problem with the Hep C, and to not worry about the GGT for the reason stated above. It's never real high, just a little above the normal range. Hope this helps. I have very little liver damage from the Hep C, by the way, and have had it over 20 years, well, hopefully have it no more!

[lalapple]

bumping this question up, some wise ones here may have the answer to this question