What causes high ggt index?

The article was professionally consulted by Specialist Doctor I Dong Xuan Ha - Gastroenterologist - Department of Medical Examination and Internal Medicine - Vinmec Ha Long International Hospital and MSc Vu Tan Phuc - Department of Examination Medicine & Internal Medicine, Vinmec Phu Quoc International General Hospital.

GGT (Gamma Glutamyl transferase) is an important liver function test along with SGPT and SGOT. When all three of these indicators are increased, it means that the liver is damaged, the most common is hepatitis caused by beer and alcohol. In the article below, it will help you understand what the GGT index is? What causes GGT to increase? how to get GGT index back to normal?

A normal GGT reading is in the range of less than 60 UI/L. In women, this index is 11-50 UI/L, in men, the GGT index falls between 7-32 UI/L.
So how much GGT is dangerous? There are 3 levels indicating the increase of GGT index:
Mild: high in 1-2 times. Moderate: elevated in 2-5 times Severe: increased more than 5 times. However, the GGT test cannot distinguish between different causes of liver damage because it can be elevated with many types of liver disease (liver cancer and viral hepatitis ...) and non-hepatic conditions ( such as acute coronary syndrome). Therefore, the GGT test is not recommended for routine use.
GGT levels sometimes increase when a person drinks alcohol. Levels are higher in chronic heavy drinkers than in people who consume less than 2 to 3 drinks per day. The GGT test is also used to evaluate a person for acute or chronic alcohol abuse.

Knowing what causes a high GGT will help you avoid the risk of liver damage. This is especially important for people with high liver enzymes. Cases that can increase blood GGT include:
Cholestatic jaundice Acute hepatitis or liver shock Liver cancer or liver tumor Cirrhosis, liver tissue death Using drugs that are toxic to the liver: Phenytoin, Phenobarbital Alcohol use high concentrations for a long time Improper rest, affecting liver function Improper nutrition, weakening the liver Diabetes, lung disease Pancreatic disease Lack of blood flow to the liver Elevated liver enzymes AST (SGOT), ALT (SGPT), and GGT have also been observed in cases of malaria, biliary tract disease, iron overload, autoimmune hepatitis, autoimmune diseases of the small intestine, and some other diseases. Note: Before testing for GGT, patients need to remember not to use drugs (Phenytoin, Phenobarbital ..) within 24 hours because this will potentially increase GGT levels in the blood, leading to results. test was not accurate. Similarly, patients should not use alcohol, beer, tobacco or stimulants even in small amounts, because it will seriously affect the results.

Don't worry too much when you know your liver has a high GGT. Because modern medicine is very developed and this is a curable disease. Need to see a specialist to determine the cause, follow the instructions to help improve. Specifically, it is necessary to do the following tips:
First, it is necessary to do a test for hepatitis, especially hepatitis B and C. As for hepatitis B, in addition to testing for HBsAg when positive, it is also necessary to do more. testing for HBeAg, HBsAb, antiHBeAg... If possible, quantitative testing of viral DNA is required. If elevated liver enzymes are caused by inflammation of the biliary tract, it is necessary to help radically improve the cause. If hepatitis is caused by alcohol, it is necessary to abstain from alcohol, beer and alcoholic beverages. If liver enzymes increase because of alcohol, then alcohol should be reduced. You should go for regular health check-ups to be monitored and evaluated by a specialist. You can sign up for Hepatobiliary Screening Packages at hospitals with specialists such as Vinmec International General Hospital to be able to detect and treat diseases promptly. Diet has a direct impact on all parts of the body, especially the liver, where toxins are often eliminated. A scientific diet brings benefits both inside and outside the body, but a diet full of alcohol, not on time ... will make liver function decline. The liver has the ability to detoxify the body as with strong toxins such as chemicals, toxic substances in food that accumulate for a long time, can the liver withstand it? The answer is of course no. It will tire and the ggt stat will also quietly increase. Do not arbitrarily buy traditional medicines or traditional medicines according to word of mouth to help improve. Medicines that have not been scientifically tested or have no clear evidence will lead to many harmful consequences, aggravate liver disease or become incurable. Rest properly, avoid doing stressful jobs.

In summary, through this article, hopefully help you somewhat understand what the GGT index is, when to increase and know how to control them. Pay careful attention and regularly do the necessary tests to protect your health, when the GGT index increases, you should immediately ask your doctor about the condition, what to do to prevent the liver. weakened, leading to worse outcomes.