Liver Problems?

[Serana]

So I just got some new blood tests back from my doctor, and I've noticed my Liver's Gamma GT is only seeming to get higher and higher.

Originally the GT was only ~80 u/L, almost double the general reference range.

But the new tests I got back is saying my gamma GT is 184u/L
This was a fasting blood test, so I can't think of what could be causing my gamma GT to have skyrocketed by +100 in less than 3 months! I'm not a heavy drinker, and drink very irregularly. I know for a fact I hadn't been out drinking for at least 3 weeks before this blood test, so it leaves me with a lot of questions like; "what could be wrong".

I know that Spironolactone can be used to help treat those with liver disease, so I'm wondering if it's provoking the extra creation of gamma-glutamyl transferase. This could explain why the levels are so high maybe?

I don't feel any liver pains at all. Nor do I feel any discomforts in that area, or any other area of my body as far as I'm aware of.

Has anybody else experienced something like this?

Thanks in advance everyone.

[Traci Elizabeth]

I have not experienced anything like that. I would suggest you ask your doctor those questions. Regardless, I hope you get an explanation as to what is going on and that it does not mean you are having liver problems.

[sandra-leigh]

Are you taking any anti-depressants? Some of them can be hard on the liver. Likewise, Cypro is not permitted in the UK because of risks to the liver.

My liver has been fine, even though taking a liver-risking anti-depressant and taking cypro. On the other hand, my doctors would not approve my taking a medication for nail fungus, as that is also hard on the liver.

I am, though, having difficulties with kidneys now, and they are sending me to a specialist to investigate that.

[Serana]

Nope, I'm not on anti-depressants.

The only thing is that I eat a -lot- of spicy food. Maybe perhaps too much? Can spice effect the GT enzyme maybe?

Oh, and Doctor's was too busy for me to see them today, so I thought I'd get some opinions here, and see them on Monday. What surprised me most is my doctor didn't flag this and ask me to come in for a check up, so I'm a bit worried on that regard.

[giuseppina]

That is valuable information for your doctor, Serana. It is well known that some foods interact with some drugs, sometimes amplifying and sometimes attenuating the intended effect.

You are correct to blow the whistle and ask questions. One of the known side effects of HRT is liver issues.

I'm not sure that your situation is an emergency with immediate threats to your life. Please don't worry too much about it.

[luscious]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gamma-glutamyl_transpeptidase



I don't think you have anything to worry about. you are not an alcoholic and you have a healthy pancreas and heart

Medical applications

GGT has several uses as a diagnostic marker in medicine.

Blood test results for GGT suggest that the normal value for men is 15-85 IU/L, whereas for women it is 5-55 IU/L.[9]

Elevated serum GGT activity can be found in diseases of the liver, biliary system, and pancreas. In this respect, it is similar to alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in detecting disease of the biliary tract. Indeed, the two markers correlate well, though there is conflicting data about whether GGT has better sensitivity.[10][11] In general, ALP is still the first test for biliary disease. The main value of GGT over ALP is in verifying that ALP elevations are, in fact, due to biliary disease; ALP can also be increased in certain bone diseases, but GGT is not.[11] More recently, slighlty elevated serum GGT has also been found to correlate with cardiovascular diseases and is under active investigation as a cardiovascular risk marker. GGT in fact accumulates in atherosclerotic plaques,[12] suggesting a potential role in pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases,[13] and circulates in blood in the form of distinct protein aggregates,[14] some of which appear to be related to specific pathologies such as metabolic syndrome, alcohol addiction and chronic liver disease.

GGT is elevated by large quantities of alcohol ingestion. Determination of total serum GGT activity is however not specific to alcohol intoxication,[15] and the measurement of selected serum forms of the enzyme offer more specific information.[14] Isolated elevation or disproportionate elevation compared to other liver enzymes (such as ALP or ALT) may indicate alcohol abuse or alcoholic liver disease.[16] It may indicate excess alcohol consumption up to 3 or 4 weeks prior to the test. The mechanism for this elevation is unclear. Alcohol may increase GGT production by inducing hepatic microsomal production, or it may cause the leakage of GGT from hepatocytes.[17]

Numerous drugs can raise GGT levels, including barbiturates and phenytoin.[18] GGT elevation has also been occasionally reported following NSAIDs, St. John's wort, and aspirin. Elevated levels of GGT may also be due to congestive heart failure.[19]