Liver
GGT (Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase)
Liver
Liver enzyme. Sensitive marker for liver stress, alcohol consumption and bile duct issues.
VAT-exempt medical service
GGT has a reputation as the "alcohol marker," and sure, it's great at that. But here's what most people don't know: modern research has turned GGT into a full-blown early warning system. We're talking type 2 diabetes, stroke, atherosclerosis, kidney disease, metabolic syndrome. If something's brewing, GGT often picks it up first. Track it over time and you have one of the most valuable health dashboards available.
GGT is used to establish whether a raised ALP is coming from the liver and bile ducts rather than bone, and to investigate suspected liver or bile duct disease. It is sensitive to alcohol and to several medicines, which makes it useful for following change over time, but it is non-specific: a raised value alone does not identify a cause.
What a high value can mean
Elevated GGT is your liver saying "hey, something's not right here." The higher it goes, the bigger the problem. Hepatitis, cirrhosis, bile duct obstruction, fatty liver disease, liver tumours -- all common liver culprits. But GGT also climbs with pancreatitis, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, heart failure, thyroid issues, and certain medications. A high GGT is also the trick for ruling out bone disease when ALP is elevated. Watch for fatigue, yellowing skin, dark urine, pale stools, abdominal pain, and nausea.
What a low value can mean
Low GGT? Great news. It means your liver is probably doing just fine. Very low levels are uncommon but could point to a diet lacking magnesium or vitamin B6. Interestingly, very low GGT has been linked to hypothyroidism, so a thyroid check might be worth considering.
Skip the fatty foods and alcohol the day before. Bring valid ID on test day.
Order your test
Choose your test and pay online. Your lab referral is created straight away.
Give your sample
Visit any of our partner sampling locations. No appointment needed at most of them.
The lab analyses it
Your sample is analysed at an accredited Swedish laboratory.
Get your results
Your values appear in your account with reference ranges and an explanation of each marker.
Not even close. While GGT is sensitive to alcohol, it also rises with loads of other liver conditions, medications, and metabolic disorders. It's now recognised as an independent predictor of cardiovascular risk. Pretty impressive for one little enzyme.
Both are liver enzymes, but ALP also lives in bone. If ALP is high but GGT is normal, think bone rather than liver. GGT helps you narrow it down.
Research says yes. GGT levels in the upper-normal range are linked to increased cardiovascular risk. A large Austrian study found that people whose GGT crept up over time had significantly higher disease and mortality risk.
Fast. GGT can drop within weeks of cutting back on alcohol and cleaning up your diet. That makes it one of the best markers for tracking liver health progress in real time.