Lever
Lifestyle
- Reduce alcohol consumption
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Engage in regular physical activity
Blutwerte · Marker
GGT
Gamma-Glutamyltransferase · Gamma-GT · GGT
Leberwerte
- Einheit:
- IU/L
GGT measures the activity of the gamma-glutamyltransferase enzyme, which is involved in glutathione metabolism and liver function.
Reference Ranges
Reference
0–60IU/L
0
10
40
60
LowNormalHigh
Reference
Optimal
Unit · IU/LReference ranges may vary slightly by laboratory and consider sex-specific differences.
Overview
Übersicht
Gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) is an enzyme found predominantly in the liver, playing a crucial role in the gamma-glutamyl cycle, which is essential for the synthesis and degradation of glutathione, a major antioxidant. Clinically, GGT is a significant marker for liver function and is often elevated in cases of liver disease, alcohol abuse, and biliary obstruction. It is also associated with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and increased mortality risk. In the context of athletic performance and biohacking, GGT levels can indicate oxidative stress and liver health, which are critical for recovery and overall metabolic efficiency. However, researchers observed that GGT levels can be influenced by factors such as age, gender, alcohol consumption, and obesity. Therefore, it is important to consider these variables when interpreting GGT levels. Additionally, fasting and time of day do not significantly affect GGT measurements, but recent alcohol intake or liver-affecting medications can skew results.
Klinische Bedeutung
Elevated GGT levels indicate liver dysfunction, alcohol abuse, or biliary obstruction. Low GGT levels are uncommon and typically not clinically significant.
Dynamics
Trend Interpretation
Rising Values
Progressively rising GGT values suggest worsening liver function or increased alcohol intake. Retest in 4 weeks if elevated.
Falling Values
Falling GGT values indicate improvement in liver function or reduction in alcohol consumption.
Re-test Interval
4 weeks if outside optimal range
Etiology
Causes — High & Low
Cause
Elevated Levels
- Alcohol abuse
- Liver disease
- Biliary obstruction
- Heart failure
- Metabolic syndrome
Cause
Low Levels
- Not clinically significant
- Rare genetic conditions
- Certain medications
- Malnutrition
Protocol
How to Optimize
Lever
Nutrition
- Increase antioxidant-rich foods
- Consume a balanced diet
- Limit processed foods
Lever
Supplementation
- Milk thistle
- N-acetylcysteine
- Alpha-lipoic acid
Note:
Consult a healthcare provider before starting any supplementation, especially if liver disease is present.
Testing Guidelines
✓Fasting Not Required
✓Not Time-Sensitive
GGT levels may vary with diurnal rhythms; consistency in testing time is recommended.
Testing Frequency
Annually for healthy adults, more frequently if liver disease is suspected.
Interfering Factors
- Recent alcohol consumption
- Certain medications
- Liver disease
Open Research Questions
Current research suggests that the reference intervals for GGT may need to be revisited, particularly concerning confounders like gender, age, and obesity. Researchers have not yet established optimal GGT targets for predicting disease risk across diverse populations. Additionally, clinical questions remain unanswered regarding the specific mechanisms linking GGT to various diseases and the potential utility of GGT in risk stratification for conditions beyond liver disease.
19 Research Publications
419
Total Citations
6
Human/RCT
3.3
Avg. Influence
2018
Latest
Sort
Filter
01Top
#01
Alcohol Biomarkers in Clinical and Forensic Contexts.
ReviewInfluence7.0
154
Researchers reviewed various biomarkers of alcohol consumption and highlighted GGT as a key indirect marker. They noted that GGT, along with carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT), is crucial for verifying alcohol abstinence and ruling out harmful alcohol use. The study emphasizes the importance of selecting appropriate markers based on specific clinical questions.
02Top
#02
The dark side of gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT): Pathogenic effects of an 'antioxidant' enzyme.
ReviewInfluence3.0
100
Researchers reviewed the role of GGT in human pathophysiology and found that it may have pathogenic effects beyond its traditional role as an antioxidant. They noted that GGT is involved in the modulation of redox equilibria and is linked to various diseases, including cardiovascular diseases and cancer. This suggests a need to reevaluate GGT's significance in health and disease.
03Top
#03
gamma-Glutamyltransferase is a promising biomarker for cardiovascular risk.
ReviewInfluence2.0
60
Researchers examined the role of gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) as a potential biomarker for cardiovascular risk. They found that elevated serum GGT levels may indicate a higher risk for cardiovascular events, suggesting its utility in primary and secondary prevention strategies. The study calls for further research to confirm these findings.
04
#04
A Systematic Review of Serum γ-Glutamyltransferase as a Prognostic Biomarker in Patients with Genitourinary Cancer.
Meta-AnalysisInfluence1.0
53
This systematic review assessed the prognostic role of serum gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) in patients with genitourinary cancers. Researchers found that elevated GGT levels are associated with an increased risk of cancer progression and poor prognosis, highlighting its potential as a biomarker for monitoring these patients.
05
#05
Serum Gamma-glutamyltransferase and Obesity: is there a Link?
Human
28
Researchers found a significant association between increased GGT levels and unfavorable body fat distribution in healthy individuals. The study indicated that higher GGT levels correlate with increased android fat and a higher android/gynoid fat ratio. This suggests that GGT may serve as an early biomarker for assessing body fat distribution.
06
#06
Advances and Perspectives of Responsive Probes for Measuring γ-Glutamyl Transpeptidase.
Review
12
Researchers reviewed recent advances in measuring gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) activity using responsive probes. They highlighted various bioanalytical methods for GGT measurement and discussed the practical applications of these probes in cancer diagnosis and treatment monitoring, emphasizing the importance of GGT as a biomarker in clinical settings.
07
#07
Big and Free Fractions of Gamma-Glutamyltransferase: New Diagnostic Biomarkers for Malignant Mesothelioma?
Human
7
This study evaluated the diagnostic potential of gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) sub-fractions in malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). Researchers identified specific GGT activity patterns associated with MPM, suggesting that these fractions could enhance diagnostic accuracy when combined with other biomarkers. The findings support the potential of GGT in cancer diagnostics.
08
#08
Serum Gamma Glutamyltransferase: A Biomarker for Identifying Postprandial Hypertriglyceridemia.
Human
4
Researchers found that elevated serum GGT levels are significantly associated with postprandial hypertriglyceridemia (PHTG). The study indicated that GGT serves as an effective predictor of PHTG risk, highlighting its role in identifying individuals at risk for metabolic disturbances. This suggests that GGT could be a valuable biomarker in metabolic assessments.
09
#09
Gamma-glutamyltransferase independently predicts mortality and heart failure hospitalization in cardiac transthyretin amyloidosis.
Human
1
Researchers found that elevated GGT levels are associated with greater disease severity and predict worse outcomes in patients with transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis. The study showed that GGT remains a significant predictor of all-cause mortality and heart failure hospitalization. This suggests that GGT measurement may enhance risk stratification in affected individuals.
10
#10
Gamma-Glutamyltransferase: A Predictive Biomarker of Cellular Antioxidant Inadequacy and Disease Risk.
Review
Researchers observed that elevated GGT levels are linked to an increased risk of various diseases, including cardiovascular disease and diabetes. They noted that GGT serves as a predictive marker for several health conditions and has shown a rising trend in population levels over time. The study emphasizes GGT's role in indicating future disease risk.
Publication Trend
Research publications about GGT over time
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