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Test Name:
Gamma Glutamyl Transferase, Serum
- SBMF No:
29242 - Performance Lab Name:
Automated Lab - Test Mnemonic:
GGTP- - ABN:
May be required – Medical Necessity - CPT Code:
82977 - LOINC Code:
2324-2 - Also Known As:
Gamma Glutamyl Transpeptidase
GGTP
Gamma Glutamyl Transferase
GGT - Spec Type:
Serum - Spec Container:
Gold top (SST) or red top (serum) tube - Alt Spec Type:
Plasma - Alt Spec Container:
Green top (lithium heparin) tube - Pref Vol:
1.0 mL - Min Vol:
0.3 mL - Fasting:
No - Spec Collect:
Routine venipuncture - Spec Process:
Serum sample tubes, clot 30 minutes
Promptly centrifuge 15 minutes
Immediately transfer serum or plasma to separate plastic tube
Properly centrifuged gel barrier tube sample does not require transfer of serum to separate tube - Spec Store Transport:
Refrigerated - Spec Stability:
8 hours room temperature (20-30°C)
1 week refrigerated (2-8°C) - Spec Reject:
Hemolyzed sample - Methodology:
Enzymatic - Use:
Differentiation of the source of increased serum alkaline phosphatase (GGT is not present in the bone); useful to diagnose obstructive jaundice, intrahepatic cholestasis, and pancreatitis; diagnose metastatic carcinoma in the liver (CEA, alkaline phosphatase, and GGT used together are useful markers for hepatic metastasis from breast and colon primaries); diagnose chronic alcoholic liver disease
GGT is the test for cholestasis during or immediately following pregnancy
It is also used as an indicator of chronic and heavy alcohol abuse - Clinical Significance:
Elevated GGT is found in all forms of liver disease. Measurement of GGT levels is used in the diagnosis and treatment of alcoholic cirrhosis, as well as primary and secondary liver tumors. It is more sensitive than alkaline phosphatase, the transaminases, and leucine aminopeptidase in detecting obstructive jaundice, cholagistis, and cholecystitus. GGT levels rise earlier in the liver disease and to higher values than leucine aminopeptidase or 5-nucleotidase levels. Moderate elevations are seen in infectious hepatitis. However, elevated GGT levels have also been noted in chronic alcoholism, diabetes, and certain neurological disorders. Normal levels of GGT are seen in skeletal diseases; thus GGT in serum can be used to ascertain whether a disease is skeletal or hepatobiliary.Increased levels of gamma glutamyl transferase are found in cholestatic liver disease and in hepatocellular disease when there is an element of cholestasis. Levels are increased with chronic intake of excess alcohol and with certain drugs (esp. phenytoin), as a result of enzyme induction. Pancreatitis and prostatitis may also be associated with increased levels. Levels may be normal early in the course of acute hepatocellular damage e.g., acute viral hepatitis, paracetamol hepatotoxicity. - Reference Range:
Male:
– 0-1 years: 10-120 IU/L
– 1 year-Adult: 10-47 IU/L
Female:
– 0-1 years: 10-110 IU/L
– 1 year-Adult: 5-36 IU/L - Day Run:
Sun-Sat (daily) - Time Run:
As received - Time Reported:
4 hours - Test Type:
ENZYME
