Is it possible for the high GGT levels to damage the liver?
Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
I received my blood reports today, and the GGT levels were elevated. My liver enzymes were constantly high, as I had previously been informed. I do not consume alcohol. I take a tablet of Carbamazepine 500 mg daily for epilepsy and a tablet of Pantoprazole for dyspepsia, which I understand may aggravate GGT. I am also recovering from a severe sickness that brought me sinusitis and coughing, as well as stomach cramps that prevented me from eating.
In the recovery process, my feces were quite pale, which I heard is related to bilirubin and the liver. Due to my concern about what caused this infection, I examined my blood results in depth this time. And yes, I suffer from anxiety too. The GGT value was 62. What should I do? Should I be requesting further investigation as this is making me anxious?
Please help.
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
I understand your concern.
Have you taken any abdominal ultrasounds? Do you suffer from fatty liver? Please respond to all these questions for better evaluation and assessment. There is no need to be anxious about such a value.
I hope this helps.
Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
Thank you for the reply.
I have not done an ultrasound recently. I had taken one earlier this year for gallbladder issues, but everything was fine. Nothing was mentioned about fatty liver. I was shocked by how high it was. All other values were within the normal range. Aside from being low in sodium, this is also typical for me. I forgot to mention that I am also on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and taking estrogen gel and tablet Promethium.
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
I understand your concern.
Do you have any abdominal symptoms right now? May I know the frequency and amount of alcohol you consume? Please answer these questions for better evaluation and assessment.
I hope this helps.
Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
Thank you for the reply.
I do not have any abdominal issues now, aside from the recent ones mentioned. My eating habits and bowel movements are normal. I drink six glasses of alcohol each week. For the past ten days, I have not had anything.
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
I understand your concern.
Your high gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) is due to alcohol consumption. What kind of alcohol do you drink regularly? I am talking about things like wine, rum, and whiskey. And do you engage in any routine activity, such as walking or running?
I hope this helps.
Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
Thank you for the reply.
I walk frequently and only drink wine in moderation occasionally. I appreciate your assistance so far. Given what I have told you about my medication and recent viral symptoms, is a reading of 62 normal? It could have been there for years, and I had not noticed it before. I may have too many contributing factors for it to be alarmingly high. I want a simple yes or no answer as to whether I need to rush for more tests.
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
I understand your concern.
Since you are asymptomatic, you have no reason to be concerned about these gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) levels. As I previously stated, your GGT is caused mainly due to the alcohol you consume. It will return to normal if you reduce alcohol consumption and start walking. If possible, have a liver ultrasound performed (fatty liver, to be precise).
Again, it is not an emergency. You may have an ultrasound of the abdomen performed as a routine checkup. And for the time being, I do not regard this GGT value as scary, concerning, or troublesome. There is no need for additional testing besides the test I mentioned.
I hope this helps.
Thank you.
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