From the Guidelines
Severely elevated Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase (GGT) levels are a significant indicator of liver damage or disease, and patients with these levels should be guided towards effective lifestyle modifications to obtain the best possible correction of dysmetabolic cofactors and limit liver disease progression. According to the most recent study 1, high GGT levels independently predict clinical outcomes on multivariate analysis, highlighting the importance of addressing the underlying cause of elevation. Common causes of severely elevated GGT levels include alcohol use, liver diseases (hepatitis, fatty liver, cirrhosis), certain medications, biliary obstruction, and pancreatic disorders.
Key Considerations
- The severity of GGT elevation often correlates with the extent of liver damage, making prompt medical attention crucial for preventing further liver complications 1.
- Patients with chronic hepatitis delta (CHD) have a higher risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) compared to those with HBV infection alone, and severely elevated GGT levels may be an indicator of this increased risk 1.
- Effective lifestyle modifications, such as avoiding alcohol, maintaining a healthy diet, and staying hydrated, can help limit liver disease progression and improve outcomes 1.
Recommendations
- Consult a healthcare provider immediately for proper diagnosis and treatment of severely elevated GGT levels.
- Additional tests, including a complete liver panel, abdominal ultrasound, and possibly other imaging studies, may be ordered to identify the underlying cause of elevation.
- Treatment depends on the specific cause, and may include abstinence from alcohol, alternative medications, or specific treatments for liver diseases.
- While waiting for medical care, avoid alcohol completely, review medications with a doctor, maintain a healthy diet, and stay hydrated.
Importance of Prompt Medical Attention
Severely elevated GGT levels require prompt medical evaluation to prevent further liver complications and improve outcomes. The most recent study 1 highlights the importance of addressing the underlying cause of elevation and guiding patients towards effective lifestyle modifications to limit liver disease progression.
From the Research
Implications of Severely Elevated GGT Levels
Severely elevated Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase (GGT) levels have been associated with various health implications, including:
- Increased risk of mortality, incident type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular events, chronic kidney disease, and cancer 2
- Development of fatty liver disease, with consecutive elevated GGT levels increasing the risk for fatty liver 3
- Association with high cardiovascular risk among patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, independent of traditional risk factors 4
- Indication of liver dysfunction and potential liver disease, such as alcoholic liver disease 5
- Improvement in liver function tests, including GGT levels, with treatment, such as the combination of ursodeoxycholic acid and vitamin E 6
Health Risks Associated with Elevated GGT Levels
Elevated GGT levels have been linked to various health risks, including:
- Cardiovascular disease, with high GGT levels positively associated with high-risk disease presence 4
- Type 2 diabetes, with elevated GGT levels increasing the risk of incident type 2 diabetes 2
- Chronic kidney disease, with elevated GGT levels associated with increased risk of chronic kidney disease 2
- Cancer, with elevated GGT levels associated with increased risk of cancer 2
Clinical Significance of GGT Levels
GGT levels can be used as a marker for liver dysfunction and potential liver disease, and can also be used to predict cardiovascular risk among patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease 4. Elevated GGT levels, even within the normal range, can be a sign of increased cardiovascular disease risk 4.