Alternate Names: Gamma-GT; GGTP; GGT
How Performed: Adult or child:
Blood is drawn from a vein (venipuncture), usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The puncture site is cleaned with antiseptic, and a tourniquet (an elastic band) or blood pressure cuff is placed around the upper arm to apply pressure and restrict blood flow through the vein. This causes veins below the tourniquet to distend (fill with blood). A needle is inserted into the vein, and the blood is collected in an air-tight vial or a syringe. During the procedure, the tourniquet is removed to restore circulation. Once the blood has been collected, the needle is removed, and the puncture site is covered to stop any bleeding.
Infant or young child:
The area is cleansed with antiseptic and punctured with a sharp needle or a lancet. The blood may be collected in a pipette (small glass tube), on a slide, onto a test strip, or into a small container. Cotton or a bandage may be applied to the puncture site if there is any continued bleeding.
How To Prepare: The health care provider may advise you to withhold drugs that can affect the test (see special considerations).
Infants and children:
The physical and psychological preparation you can provide for this or any test or procedure depends on your child’s age, interests, previous experience, and level of trust. For specific information regarding how you can prepare your child, see the following topics as they correspond to your child’s age:
How It Feels: When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain, while others feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing.
Risks:
- excessive bleeding
- fainting or feeling lightheaded
- hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin)
- infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)
- multiple punctures to locate veins
Why is this test performed:
This test is used to detect diseases of the liver, bile ducts, and kidney; and to differentiate liver or bile duct (hepatobiliary) disorders from bone disease.
GGT participates in the transfer of amino acids across the cellular membrane and in glutathione metabolism. High concentrations are found in the liver, bile ducts, and the kidney.
GGT is measured in combination with other tests. In particular, ALP is increased in hepatobiliary disease and bone disease. GGT is elevated in hepatobiliary disease, but not in bone disease. So, a patient with an elevated ALP and a normal GGT probably has bone disease, not hepatobiliary disease.
Normal Values: The normal range is 0 to 51 IU/L.
Note: IU/L = international units per liter
Abnormal Results: Greater-than-normal levels may indicate:
Cost:
Special Considerations: Drugs that can increase GGT levels include alcohol, phenytoin, and phenobarbital.
Drugs that can decrease GGT levels include clofibrate and oral contraceptives (birth control pills).
Veins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others.
