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What Causes Elevated GGT Levels In An Occasional Drinker?

Posted on Tue, 12 May 2015

Question: I have just received my liver results, and my ggt is 166. yes I do drink a bottle of wine (maybe more) a day the ALT and AST are within range

Answered by Dr. Muhammad Ali Rauf (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Most likely due to wine intake

Detailed Answer:
Hello

My name is Dr Muhammad Ali Rauf & i will look into your problem.

I have gone through your query and would try to help you in the best possible way. Normal levels of GGT are from 0-51 IU/l. There are a number of conditions in which these levels are raised. Most common include:

- Alcohol(present in wine) use
- Diabetes
- Hepatitis
- Scarring of the liver (cirrhosis)
- Use of drugs that are toxic to the liver

As in your case all other labs are within limits and only GGt is raised AND there is Hx of alcohol intake as well so most probably this rise is because of alcohol consumption.

Hope I have answered your query. If you have any further questions I will be happy to help if not then don't forget to close the discussion and rate it.
Wishing you good health !!

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Muhammad Ali Rauf (18 hours later)

So are you saying that I have cirrhosis of the liver? I have asked various Nurses who are coming here to treat me for my condition of Multiple Sclerosis, and they have said for cirrhosis the levels would be 300 (as for an example an alcoholic). You have seriously worried me, I must say.

My Husband had his blood tested too, and his results were 177ggt, and the DR said that he had a fatty Liver.

Answered by Dr. Muhammad Ali Rauf (33 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Absolutely not. Please read last reply again.

Detailed Answer:
Hello

If you could please read my earlier reply again. I said that your raised GGT is most probably because of wine intake. I wrote that "As in your case all other labs are within limits and only GGt is raised AND there is Hx of alcohol intake as well so most probably this rise is because of alcohol consumption." It does NOT mean that you have cirrhosis. Even if someone takes small quantity of alcohol/wine then his/her labs may slightly vary BUT its nothing to worry about.

Hope i have cleared my statemnet. Feel free to get back with a followup query.
Thank You

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Muhammad Ali Rauf (1 hour later)

These are my full liver results:-
Bilburine 3,7mg/l.....6.3umol/l
AST (SGPT) 28 UI/1
ALT (SGPT) 18 UI/1
Gamma GT 169 UI/1
Alcaline Phosphate 105 UI/1

I do understand that I drink FAR too much, but for some reason it does help me with my M.S. I have only started drinking everyday like this for the last 5 years, but I am so worried. I have cut back a LOT...at one stage I was nearly on 3 bottles a day and it's white wine I drink.

Answered by Dr. Muhammad Ali Rauf (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
No need to worry; labs are within limits

Detailed Answer:
Hello

I would again suggest you to relax and do NOT worry. Your labs are within limits. GGT is only raised because of drink. No need to worry at all. Just keep up with your normal daily routine.

Feel free to get back with a query if you have.
Thank you & wishing you good health

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar