The Gamma GT blood test is used to help a medical provider determine the cause of elevated ALP (alkaline phosphatase) levels that are found in certain liver diseases. When ALP and Gamma GT are both elevated, then there is an issue within the liver or bile ducts. If ALP levels are high, but Gamma GT levels are normal or low, then the most likely cause of the bothersome signs and symptoms someone is experiencing would be due to a bone disease.
Most of the time the Gamma GT blood test is used as a follow-up test to a complete liver panel. Gamma GT increases are seen when liver damage occurs, but it does not point to what may have caused the damage in the first place. This blood test is commonly ordered on its own to screen for liver damage caused by suspected alcohol abuse.
When To Visit a Doctor About the Gamma GT Blood Test
Whenever there are the signs and symptoms of liver disease is a good time to schedule an appointment with a medical provider. This may include a loss of appetite, chronic nausea that may include vomiting, pain in the abdomen, especially on the upper right side, weakness, and chronic fatigue.
More serious symptoms of a liver problem include yellowing of the skin and eyes due to jaundice, persistent itching, and dark colored urine. Bowel movements may also change and have a light gray color to them.
What Do My Gamma GT Blood Test Results Mean?
Test results from the Gamma GT blood test are generally correlated with a severity of liver injury. The higher the result of Gamma GT, then the greater the damage to the liver is going to be. Hepatitis, cirrhosis, diabetes, and pancreatitis are common causes for elevated Gamma GT levels. Alcohol abuse or using drugs that are toxic to the liver are also known to cause elevated test results.
If the Gamma GT test results are either low or in the normal range, then this indicates that the likelihood the individual has liver disease or has ever abused alcohol is relatively low. High Gamma GT levels with high ALP levels will also indicate liver disease, but normal Gamma GT with high ALP will indicate a bone disease or disorder.
If all other tests are in the normal range, but there is a high level of Gamma GT, then this may be an indication that cardiovascular disease has begun to develop. It may also increase when there is chronic hypertension that remains untreated. There may be a link to premature death due to heart disease with high levels of Gamma GT, but only some studies have shown this association.
What Affects the Gamma GT Blood Test Results?
Alcohol consumption and smoking are both known to create higher levels of Gamma GT. It is recommended that no alcohol or smoking occur within 24 hours of the blood draw for this particular blood test.
People who take NSAID medication on a regular basis will have elevated Gamma GT levels. Statins, antibiotics, histamine blockers, antidepressants, hormone therapies, and antifungal medication all have the potential to cause a false positive result. Oral contraceptives are known to create readings that could result in a false negative result.
Age is also a natural risk factor for increased Gamma GT levels in women, but not in men. Women always tend to have higher overall levels of Gamma GT when compared to men, so the normal range is generally based on biological variability more than anything else.
Here’s What You Need To Know
If alcohol was abused in the past, then high Gamma GT levels may persist for several years. Over time, however, the levels will fall from their peak into a normal range. It only takes a small amount of alcohol to affect results, so completely abstaining from alcohol may be necessary for liver functioning to begin the restoration process.
Gamma GT levels are also very sensitive to changing conditions. Elevated results can be temporary due to medication or alcohol that was ingested within the last 24 hours. If there are high Gamma GT levels, but all other liver enzymes are determined to be in the normal range, then a medical provider may choose to wait for several weeks or months before testing again. If the results are very high, however, additional and extensive testing may be ordered.
The Gamma GT blood test is used to get a picture of a person’s liver health and to screen for specific problems. If you’re suffering from any of the signs or symptoms of liver disease, then speak to your doctor right away about the advantages and disadvantages of having this blood test ordered.