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What Does My Blood Test Report Indicate?
Question: I am having blood work done and would like to know how to the GGT levels work. If previously an occasional drinker on weekends only (5-8 pints beer), and have not had any alcohol for over a month (normal ALT/AST/MCV) should the GGT be within normal range? Is it more a concern for heavy/consistent drinkers? Pls advise with details.
Thanks
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Brief Answer:
GGT levels used to differentiate between bone and liver pathology
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for trusting HealthcareMagic,
GGT testing is done only if the alkaline phosphatase levels are increased. Elevated alkaline phosphatase levels can be due to liver pathology or bone pathology. Checking GGT levels can help differentiate between bone and liver pathology. GGT level will be increased in liver problems and normal in bone problems.
Your doctor must have tested alkaline phosphatase levels as part of liver function test. If it was normal then there is no point in checking GGT levels.
Hope this answers your question
Please address further questions here
Regards
Dr.Lekshmi
GGT levels used to differentiate between bone and liver pathology
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for trusting HealthcareMagic,
GGT testing is done only if the alkaline phosphatase levels are increased. Elevated alkaline phosphatase levels can be due to liver pathology or bone pathology. Checking GGT levels can help differentiate between bone and liver pathology. GGT level will be increased in liver problems and normal in bone problems.
Your doctor must have tested alkaline phosphatase levels as part of liver function test. If it was normal then there is no point in checking GGT levels.
Hope this answers your question
Please address further questions here
Regards
Dr.Lekshmi
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Hello,
I was wondering if GGT levels are increased due to alcohol consumption, without liver damage. IF so, im wondering how much alcohol amount and frequency is needed to see a significant rise, and how long with abstinence to see levels start to return to generally normal level...not familiar with this "biomarker"
TRHX
I was wondering if GGT levels are increased due to alcohol consumption, without liver damage. IF so, im wondering how much alcohol amount and frequency is needed to see a significant rise, and how long with abstinence to see levels start to return to generally normal level...not familiar with this "biomarker"
TRHX
Brief Answer:
Follow up answer
Detailed Answer:
Hello again,
GGT can be used as a biomarker for alcohol abuse.
GGT can rise within 24 hours after alcohol consumption. Depending on the amount of alcohol intake GGT levels can remain elevated for 2-3 weeks of abstinence in moderate drinkers ( 15 units alcohol/ week) and up to 6-8 weeks of abstinence in heavy drinkers (ie, about 50-70 units of alcohol per week).
I unit of alcohol is approximately equal to one-third pint of beer.
Hope this answers your question
Please address further questions here
Regards
Dr.Lekshmi
Follow up answer
Detailed Answer:
Hello again,
GGT can be used as a biomarker for alcohol abuse.
GGT can rise within 24 hours after alcohol consumption. Depending on the amount of alcohol intake GGT levels can remain elevated for 2-3 weeks of abstinence in moderate drinkers ( 15 units alcohol/ week) and up to 6-8 weeks of abstinence in heavy drinkers (ie, about 50-70 units of alcohol per week).
I unit of alcohol is approximately equal to one-third pint of beer.
Hope this answers your question
Please address further questions here
Regards
Dr.Lekshmi
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Remy Koshy
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