High GGT Level/Prolonged Abstention

[jon626]

I am a male aged 47. I am a non-smoker and generally eat a low-fat, high-fibre diet including fish but no meat. Although I am currently abstaining from alcohol on medical advice, normally I would describe myself as a moderate drinker (4 glasses of wine and perhaps a couple of beers in a given week).

I was diagnosed with an elevated GGT Level of 246 iu/L in September 2006. My GP also started me on anti-cholestrol and blood pressure medication both low doses. On medical advice I immediately abstained from alcohol and was referred to a liver specialist at a leading London hospital. Over the period of a year, I received numerous blood tests, two ultrasound scans and finally a liver biopsy. All tests results were negative except for GGT even after a year of abstaining form alcohol. During the year my GGT levels were as follows:

Sep 06 246 iu/L
Oct 06 199 iu/L
Nov 06 118 iu/L
Dec 06 140 iu/L
Feb 07 174 iu/L
Mar 07 189 iu/L
May 07 125 iu/L
Aug 07 Sorry don't have the final result but believe it went back up to 150ish.

At the end of Aug 07 I was discharged with the explanation that no cause could be found for my elevated levels of GGT. After being discharged, I resumed alcohol intake. A year later, in August of this year, my GP requested another liver function test which resulted in a level of 157 iu/L. My GP subsequently advised me to abstain from alcohol for 2 more months after which my level came down to 140 iu/L.

It seems to me that no matter how much I abstain from alcohol my GGT level remains high. My GP has recommended that I abstain indefinitely but based on past experience, it doesn't seem to make any difference. I can't seem to reconcile this anomaly. I understand that alcohol has an effect on GGT levels but does this apply in my case? Any insight into my situation would be greatly appreciated.