GGT 0000482

Gamma-Glutamyl Transpeptidase is used to evaluate possible liver disease or bile duct disease or to differentiate between liver and bone disease as a cause of elevated alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in addition to the alkaline phosphatase isoenzyme or sometimes to screen for or monitor alcohol abuse. All forms of liver disease may raise the GGT including alcoholic cirrhosis, tumors, obstructive jaundice, cholangitis, and cholecystitis. It is much more sensitive than ALP and the transaminases AST and ALT which are found in a hepatic panel or complete metabolic panel. Normal levels of GGT are seen in skeletal diseases; thus, GGT in serum can be used to ascertain whether a disease, suggested by elevated alkaline phosphatase, is skeletal or hepatobiliary. Your doctor may get this test when you have symptoms of a liver or bile duct disorder or as follow up when you have an increased ALP level.