Suggest Treatment For Elevated GGT Levels

Posted on Tue, 19 Jul 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 19 Jul 2016 Answered on

Tue, 9 Aug 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : I just got a medical done for life insurance . All the other results were fine but my ggt came out 78 . Is that too alarming . I am a heavy drinker

Answered by Dr. Noble Zachariah (-5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Alcohol related

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Welcome and thanks for your query.
The high GGT is due to alcohol intake and the inflammation to the liver from the same.
If you stop drinking alcohol, it will return to normal and you are less likely to have any chronic liver disease. On the other hand if you continue to drink, you are likely to develop an alcoholic liver disease like alcoholic hepatitis, cirrhosis or even cancer of the liver.
Do get back to me if you have further query.

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

Follow up: Dr. Noble Zachariah (13 minutes later)

Do I have to completely stop or I need to reduce it and do in moderation

Answered by Dr. Noble Zachariah (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Stopping completely is better.

Detailed Answer:
It is better to stop it completely, as the reduction in amount is more difficult to stick to.
You may also get an abdominal ultrasonogram to see if there is any change in the liver.

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

Follow up: Dr. Noble Zachariah (47 minutes later)

It's not easy to completely stop . Will doing it in moderation will help or it will still damage the liver in due course

How high or alarming is 78 ggt

Answered by Dr. Noble Zachariah (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Discussion follows

Detailed Answer:
It's about twice the normal value.
It is better to keep off alcohol at least till the GGT returns to normal.
Then upto 2 drinks a day may be okay. Make sure that ALT and GGT remain normal.

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