GAMMA GT READING IN 1483 1.U./L

MY WIFE IS EFFECTED WITH HEPATITUS (hepatitis) C. THE DOCTOR HAS RECOMENDED  24 PEGASYS 180-MU INJECTIONS.RIBAZOLE 400 MG IS RECOMENDED FOR DAILY USE. AFTER 15 INJECTIONS WHEN THE GAMMA GT TEST WAS DONE ITS VALUE WAS 1483 1.U/L/I AM WORRIED HOW TO CONTORL IT ?

[HCA]

Gamma GT is fairly specific to alcohol,which I am sure your wife is not taking.
It is certainly very raised indeed.
What are the other liver function such as alt and ast looking like?
Has the doctor commented?
What has been the Gamma GT been on previous tests?

[Trinity4]

GGT test
The 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). (!)

When is it ordered?
A doctor usually orders GGT along with other tests to evaluate a person who has signs or symptoms that suggest liver disease. Some of the symptoms of liver injury include jaundice, nausea, vomiting, abdominal swelling, abdominal pain, pruritus (severe itching), and fatigue.

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.

[portann]

!!!