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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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How Can Elevated GGT Levels Be Treated?

Hello doctor. I was an alcoholic and my GGT levels had reached 2400. I stopped drinking and was given liver medication. The GGT levels came down to 240 after six months. It s now over one year and the GGT has remained at 200. I know the normal range should be less than 50. I m now 50 years old. How will I normalize the GGT?
posted on Wed, 25 Oct 2017
Twitter Mon, 20 Nov 2017 Answered on
Twitter Wed, 22 Nov 2017 Last reviewed on
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Ayurveda Specialist,  's  Response
**
Thanks for contacting with your health concern

1. I have following opinion on the query which you can consult with your attending doctor/ Hepatologist:

i. GGT [gamma glutamyl transferase] is the most sensitive indicator of hepatobiliary disorders. Though elevated in hepatocellular damage, it is rather non-specific because elevated GGT level may be found in pancreatic, renal, cardiac or pulmonary disorders.

PS. GGT is a potential marker of alcohol abuse and is raised in hepatocellular damage and cholestasis. [please let me know about alcohol intake] and may be used to determine the cause of elevated alkaline phosphatase (ALP] levels also.

2. The GGT test can diagnose liver damage, but it can't determine the cause, so if your GGT level is elevated, you'll probably have to undergo more tests.

PS. and because although is sensitive but are very nonspecific and serve to detect liver disease rather than quantitative liver function so their high values don't signify a serious complication most of the time, it is the underlying pathophysiological process which needs to be diagnosed and managed, so if constantly on the higher side, go with serum albumin, PT [prothrombin time] and INR.

3. Several studies have shown that blood donation or phlebotomy reduces GGT and other risk markers associated with liver diseases and insulin resistance. Interestingly, moderate to high coffee consumption has been universally shown to reduce GGT.
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How Can Elevated GGT Levels Be Treated?

** Thanks for contacting with your health concern 1. I have following opinion on the query which you can consult with your attending doctor/ Hepatologist: i. GGT [gamma glutamyl transferase] is the most sensitive indicator of hepatobiliary disorders. Though elevated in hepatocellular damage, it is rather non-specific because elevated GGT level may be found in pancreatic, renal, cardiac or pulmonary disorders. PS. GGT is a potential marker of alcohol abuse and is raised in hepatocellular damage and cholestasis. [please let me know about alcohol intake] and may be used to determine the cause of elevated alkaline phosphatase (ALP] levels also. 2. The GGT test can diagnose liver damage, but it can t determine the cause, so if your GGT level is elevated, you ll probably have to undergo more tests. PS. and because although is sensitive but are very nonspecific and serve to detect liver disease rather than quantitative liver function so their high values don t signify a serious complication most of the time, it is the underlying pathophysiological process which needs to be diagnosed and managed, so if constantly on the higher side, go with serum albumin, PT [prothrombin time] and INR. 3. Several studies have shown that blood donation or phlebotomy reduces GGT and other risk markers associated with liver diseases and insulin resistance. Interestingly, moderate to high coffee consumption has been universally shown to reduce GGT.