From the Guidelines
Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) elevation can be caused by various factors, primarily liver disease, alcohol consumption, and certain medications, as evidenced by the most recent study 1. The causes of raised GGT can be broken down into several categories, including:
- Liver diseases such as hepatitis, cirrhosis, fatty liver disease, and bile duct obstruction, which damage liver cells and release GGT into the bloodstream 1
- Alcohol consumption, which can increase GGT levels within 24 hours, with levels typically returning to normal after 2-6 weeks of abstinence 1
- Certain medications, including phenytoin, carbamazepine, barbiturates, and certain antibiotics, which can elevate GGT through liver enzyme induction 1
- Other causes, such as obesity, diabetes, heart failure, kidney disease, pancreatic disorders, and hyperthyroidism, which can also increase GGT levels 1 It's worth noting that GGT is an enzyme found in liver cell membranes, and its elevation can indicate liver cell damage or increased liver metabolic activity 1. The most important step in evaluating elevated GGT is to determine the underlying cause, as persistent elevation can indicate serious disease, and further investigation is warranted 1. Some possible underlying causes of elevated GGT include:
- Cholestatic liver disease, such as primary biliary cholangitis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, intrahepatic or extrahepatic bile duct obstruction, and drug-induced cholestasis 1
- Infiltrative liver diseases, such as sarcoidosis, amyloidosis, and hepatic metastases, which can lead to intrahepatic cholestasis 1
- Choledocholithiasis, which is the most common cause of extrahepatic biliary obstruction and elevated ALP of liver origin 1
From the Research
Causes of Raised Gamma GT
- Chronic liver disease (CLD) is a significant cause of raised gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) levels, as it can lead to liver damage and inflammation 2
- Cirrhosis, a complication of CLD, can also cause elevated GGT levels due to the scarring and damage of liver tissue 2
- Other potential causes of raised GGT levels include:
- Hepatic decompensation
- Variceal bleeding
- Portal hypertension (PHTN)
- Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) Note: The provided study does not directly discuss the causes of raised gamma GT, but it mentions conditions that may be associated with elevated GGT levels.