elevalted ggt

[reddog10]

I had blood work done for a life insurance exam and had the following results- GGT 99  Alt 43 and a 5.2 total colsteral reading.  I am 40, I don't drink every day but I do drink on the weekend.  I would average 16 drinks over the weekend and then 9 out of 10 weeks not have a drink until the weekend comes.  Should I be concerned with the numbers?  If I stop drinking completly for 3-4 months would that drop my numbers?  If the numbers drop, would it be OK to drink on the weekends again, in moderation?  What is worse, drinking 2 drinks a day or 8 on one day?

[FlGuy]

Top answer your last question first, 8 drinks in one day is much better than 2 drinks in one day.  And here's why....

GGT is an enzyme found mainly in the liver; it is very sensitive to changes in liver function. It is normally present in low levels in the blood. When the liver is injured or obstructed, the GGT level rises. It is the most sensitive liver enzyme in detecting bile duct problems. A rise in GGT can occur even when there is no identifiable cause that is related to liver disease.Elevated GGT levels indicate that something is going on with your liver but not specifically what. In general, the higher the level the greater the “insult” to your liver. Elevated levels may be due to liver disease, but they may also be due to congestive heart failure, alcohol consumption, and use of many prescription and non-prescription drugs including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), lipid-lowering drugs, antibiotics, histamine blockers (used to treat excess stomach acid production), antifungal agents, seizure control medications, antidepressants, and hormones such as testosterone. Oral contraceptives (birth control pills) and clofibrate can decrease GGT levels.

Over time, your GGT level will fall from whatever level it was at when you stopped drinking alcohol to a near normal state. It takes at least a month for GGT to return to normal after you stop drinking. Abstaining from alcohol will decrease your chances of further damaging your liver and should allow your liver functions to improve.

Good luck in getting your insurance, you may need it.

[Al_144]

Good comment FLGuy, but to my understanding, most medical institutions had dropped the GGT test because if I remember correctly, it's "inconclusive" or doesn't mean much if its the only elevated enzyme.

Al

[FlGuy]

That was my understanding too.  But, I suppose the insurance company puts some value in it even if it only hints at a possible abnormality.

[way]

I've been waiting for the right moment to ask a question but don't want to open a new thread--

I'm in week 15/24 of TX. geno 2b, Begining VL 129,000, Stage 1, grade 2.

I received my DX due to higher than normal liver enzymes back in March. They were AST-46,ALT-76. So got a hep panel and after waiting for all tests 3 mos later began TX. (pegasys 180mg and riba 1000mg)

Doctor gives the minimum time and care, doesn't treat SX --and I had to really push for a 4 wl PCR. Which was und.
He hasn't screwed up yet, treats aggressively,I'm on the right amount of everything.
My labs are only once a month this is irritating but hey my blood looks OK so far so I can't gripe
I get copies of all my labs and am very watchful --haven't been a big fan of Doctors in the past.

I notice that my enzymes haven't been checked since right before
TX began AST-35, ALT-58. So I ask the nurse to add to my bloodwork order in August. It came back AST-58, ALT-62.

I asked him about this rise (because I thought from reading this forum that they normalize during tx) and he said nothing to worry about they always fluctuate.

I always read the enzyme posts and Mike Simon told someone else that if they're not too high to recheck in a few months cuz alot of things can effect them. I asked them to recheck last mo. but they didn't. Will def. get recheck on the 8th Should I be concerned? What numbers are considered real high?

I feel like this Doctor will not do anything extra for his co-pay that he's not required to do. for basic HepC protocol. For instance I asked him about stomach problems/indigestion-- and before I could say IBS he was out the door saying take an antacid. He's a GI for cryin out loud.

I would change doctors but only 9 weeks left.

[FlGuy]

Keep in mind that the object of the game is to get to und (and you did) and stay that way through tx (you are) until you finish (you will) .  There are folks here who have ast/alt fluctuate during tx and my doc is not concerned about them either. As a matter of the course of tx, my doc requests LFT at weeks 4, 12, 24 , 36 and I'm ok with that since those are the same weeks I'll have pcrs. I'd be happy to just get rid of the source and deal with any residual stuff later on.  It's great that you got und at 4 and that the riba dose is beyond what is typically the norm.  You've got a lot of reason to be optimistic.

[way]

Thanks dude!!!!!!!!! I do feel SO much better. This has been bugging me for a few weeks now, YEA--Get THEM BUGGERS!!!!!!!!!!!!