Is alcohol responsible for raised level of gamma GT?
Q: I am 38 years old married man, who had high GT (GGTP) serum test value 57 (reference range was 55). I took the Gamma GT test again after a month and it was raised to 60. I take alcohol twice in a week (maximum 3 pegs a day) for the last 8 years. Is something wrong with my liver? Should I stop taking alcohol completely? Is there any medicine for reducing the GGT value?
A:The liver enzyme gamma GT levels rise if there is inflammation and this has to be read in conjunction with other enzymes as alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). After having said this, gamma GT is a non - specific enzyme on its own and the best way to know is to stop alcohol consumption for a few days and retest the levels. If it goes down to normal it is likely that alcohol caused the rise in which case consult a local liver specialist for advice.