GGTP - what is it? GGTP (blood test): where is it done and for what?

In the cells of the liver, bile is formed, which is necessary for the absorption of fats from food and the withdrawal of certain medicinal substances. The process of formation of bile is continuous, but it enters the intestine only when eating or after eating. The rest of the time it accumulates in the gallbladder. The most sensitive study for stagnation of bile is the GGTP test. What is this analysis, what information does it give and how is it conducted? We will talk about this in this article.

GGTP: general information

In the cells of the liver, as well as bile ducts, there is an enzyme, which is a kind of catalyst for some biochemical reactions. It is called GGTP (gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase) and is contained only in cells that, when destroyed, enter the bloodstream. Since updating part of the cells is a completely normal process, the presence of a small amount of GGTP in the blood is permissible. However, when a significant number of cells are destroyed, a large amount of this enzyme can be released, which is an alarm signal. This situation indicates the presence of acute liver disease or biliary tract.

The Importance of Determining GGTPs

Diagnosis of GGTP activity (blood test for determining the level of this enzyme) is of great importance for revealing the following processes:

• Cholestasis (bile stasis) ;
• Cytolysis (cell destruction);
• Tumor growth in the liver;
• Drug or alcohol intoxication.

It is worth paying special attention to the last point. Alcohol and some medicines affect the production of GGTP. What does it mean? The fact that the amount of enzyme can increase significantly even in the absence of liver disease. And this phenomenon is observed in people who abuse alcohol or take certain types of drugs (for example, "Paracetamol" or "Phenobarbital"). In this regard, the GGTP test is often used in the treatment of alcoholism.

In addition, the level of the content of this enzyme in the blood is determined for the following purposes:

• To confirm suspicion of obstruction of the bile duct (in the presence of a pancreas tumor or stones in the bile ducts);
• For the diagnosis of sclerosing cholangitis and biliary cirrhosis (primary);
• To determine the cause of increased alkaline phosphatase (bone pathology or liver disease);
• To monitor the condition and success of treatment of a patient who has an elevated GGTP.

It can be said about GGTP that this is the enzyme most sensitive to diseases of the liver and bile ducts. His level rises faster than alkaline phosphatase, for example. Therefore, it is especially valuable in the diagnosis of certain diseases, when other indicators are "late" or require confirmation.

Assignment of analysis

In what cases are patients assigned a biochemical blood test (GGTP), by whom and how is it conducted? The specialist to whom you should contact for questions related to gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase is a hepatologist. There are several situations in which it is important to know the blood content of this enzyme:

1. First of all, the test for determining the level of this enzyme is important in the conduct of liver tests, which are used to evaluate the functions of this body.

2. In the presence of nausea, vomiting, constant weakness, abdominal pain, skin itching, clarification of feces or darkening of urine, with jaundice.

3. When alcohol is abused or the patient is treated for alcoholic hepatitis.

4. In the course of a planned medical examination or preparation for a surgical operation.

Venous or capillary blood is used for the study. During the application of the tourniquet and the puncture of the vein, there may not be very pleasant sensations, which the doctor usually warns in advance. In addition, when preparing for diagnosis, the patient is informed of a number of important rules. So, twelve hours before the analysis you need to stop eating, and half an hour before it - do not smoke, avoid physical or emotional stress. This will get the correct data.

The results of the study and their significance

As a result of the test, you can see that the GGTP value is elevated or normal. The other is not given, since in the blood and at all this enzyme can be absent (initially it is contained only in cells), although this happens infrequently. The interpretation of GGTP (its level) is as follows:

• For women, the reference values are from 0 to 32-38 units / l;
• For men, this figure is higher - from 0 to 50-55 units / liter.

The higher their level, the heavier the damage to the bile ducts or liver. Let's look at the most frequent reasons for increasing the level of this enzyme.

The reasons for the elevated GGTU level

If as a result of the study an increased level of this enzyme was detected, then one can speak about deviations from the norm. The increase in GGTP activity may be due to the following violations:

• Various kinds of lesions of the liver and bile ducts - mechanical jaundice, scars, stones or swelling in the bile ducts, stomach cancer or pancreatic head;
• Cirrhosis of the liver - normal hepatic tissue is replaced by scarring, as a result of which the functions of this organ are disrupted;
• Liver cancer or metastases that have passed to the liver with tumors of other organs;
• Hepatitis (both acute and chronic), including alcohol;
• Infectious mononucleosis;
• Autoimmune lesions of the bile ducts leading to primary biliary cirrhosis or sclerosing cholangitis;
• Acute inflammation of the pancreas;
• Metastases in the liver as a result of breast, prostate, lung cancer;
• Heart failure and myocardial infarction (with secondary involvement of the liver);
• Hyperthyroidism and diabetes mellitus.

As you can see, there are a lot of reasons for raising the level of GGTP. One way or another, they are all related to the work of the liver. In addition, this enzyme is found in the pancreas, spleen, kidneys, prostate (although in smaller quantities). Therefore, the diseases of these organs also affect its level in the blood. However, nonspecific increase in the concentration of gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase only in cases of liver disorders. The reasons for reducing GGTP can be a decrease in thyroid function and decompensated cirrhosis.

Conclusion

In the article we considered such an important enzyme as GGTP. What this is and what is determined by its level, was also told. We have learned what can be related to and what is indicated by changes in its concentration in the blood, and also when an analysis is made for GGTP and how it is conducted. We hope that the information turned out to be useful to you.