Ggt Blood Test

[Eve]

Hi, I've had one of these done today and was wondering if anyone could explain what different things it might look for compared to the usual ALT and AST tests, maybe different liver enzymes?

Thanks for any help :)

[Mamyalynne]

Hi Eve, a clear explanation here....


http://voices.yahoo.com/role-ggt-blood-test-diagnosing-diseases-6588530.html?cat=5

[Eve]

Thanks Mamy :) Looks similar to the usual ones I guess then, will wait and see what it comes back as, think the results will help them decide whether I go for an ultrasound.

[Mamyalynne]

Won't be a test undone for you soon hun - good luck with it all. x

[Peter Pedant]

GammaGT is sensitive for liver damage of any sort
but not good for telling which sort of damage.

so it goes up before ALT AST
(just in case you are thinking of why not just have one)

[Eve]

Thanks Mamy, fingers crossed! :)

Thanks Peter, ahh so it's a bit like inflammatory markers, like CRP against ESR in a way (if that makes sense)? My results seem to be up and down, liver and kidneys, so all a wait and see.

[slaney]

Hi Eve, as others have said just another enzyme test, a bit more specific to the liver than the ALT. Is the latter still raised?

[Eve]

Hi Slaney (just left a message for you on my abscess thread).

Both AST and ALT were raised before Christmas (53/76 from memory - same week as my kidney function dropped to 55%) but things seemed to have improved on one my GPs did in-between which is good though they seem to bounce up and down. I was big time resting up over the Christmas break though which made a bit difference, even my ESR had gone down a lot! The power of rest huh!

I wondered if there was something exertion related as I was physically knackered and quite stressed on both test dates they were up & down (not like running around or anything but exertion for me in my knackered hobbly state). I thought maybe fluid build up in my legs could be connected to the kidney function drop but no idea liver wise.

I don't think they are really high but weird as not on methotrexate at the time. A blip maybe? Time will tell I guess. Am due to go back on a low dose of mtx though in a few weeks (once the abscess issues are sorted and I guess depending on bloods) and Tocilizumab.

[slaney]

That's a fairly modest elevation, Eve - much the same as it was last summer.I don't think exertion of the kind you describe would be the cause.

I saw your message -not to worry - when I first came on this site I was referred to as Stanley :)

[Eve]

Aww haha :) Modest as in not too high? Yeah that's good. I tend to get different reactions from different medical people (GP/hospital) so am never quite sure (so always good to learn myself) but I'm trying to learn more about the figures and when raised means bad (or preferably, not bad but just a bit raised and worth keeping an eye on) etc...

Had never heard of a GGT before they said they wanted done with my next bloods, had only just got my head around ALT, still fuzzy on AST.