GT is one of the standard tests used to assess the health of the liver and bile ducts, especially when there is suspicion of alcohol-related health issues. More GT is produced by liver cells when they are under stress, such as in liver diseases or heavy alcohol consumption.
GT stands for glutamyltransferase, an enzyme primarily found in the cells of the liver. Specifically, it is located in the cells surrounding the bile ducts where it affects several processes by catalyzing chemical reactions.
One of its most important tasks is to assist in detoxifying harmful substances, so more GT is produced with high alcohol consumption. Since GT is primarily found in cells around the bile ducts, it also increases significantly when various disease processes occur in that area.
Therefore, a GT analysis is useful both for detecting diseases in the liver and bile ducts and for assessing alcoholism and risky drinking. The GT value is examined through a standard blood test.
| Women ≤ 40 years: | 0,15 – 0,75 µkat/L |
| Women > 40 years: | 0,15 – 1,2 µkat/L |
| Men ≤ 40 years: | 0,15 – 1,3 µkat/L |
| Men > 40 years: | 0,20 – 1,9 µkat/L |
The reference values may vary depending on where the analysis is performed, and which analysis method is used.
High values can occur in the following conditions:
Some individuals, especially the elderly, may sometimes have elevated liver values without any detectable cause or impact on health.
A low GT value is usually harmless and expected in a healthy person. A low value indicates good liver and bile duct health.
Alcohol increases the production of GT in liver cells, so a blood test can be used to assess alcohol consumption. Since the value does not always reveal everything about alcohol consumption, and some individuals also do not show the same increase in GT due to alcohol, further investigations are needed to provide a complete result.
Often, the result of an AUDIT (test to assess alcohol consumption) is combined with the result of a GT test when assessing potential alcohol abuse.
Read more about how alcohol affects health.
In general:
The GT value increases in connection with medical conditions such as liver tumors and blocked bile ducts. The value also increases slightly in hepatitis. In infectious hepatitis, GT is a good indicator of improvement as it normalizes more slowly than liver enzymes.
A single GT test does not provide much specific information. Therefore, when it comes to liver conditions, doctors always take several different liver tests whose results are weighed together. When examining the liver, ALAT, ASAT, and ALP are often taken in addition to GT, sometimes even more.
There are some things you can do to improve your GT value, some are listed below:
In general, the GT value is good if you are of normal weight and do not have excessive alcohol consumption.
Vital laboratory package Man 50+ includes 36 values and provides you with a comprehensive overview of your health. Vital’s doctors have developed this laboratory package based on some of the most important values that affect age-related lifestyle diseases, as well as values that are interesting to monitor specifically for you as a man over 50 years old.
Vital laboratory package Woman 50+ includes 39 values and provides senior women with a broad overview of their health. Vital’s doctors have developed this laboratory package based on some of the most important values that affect age-related lifestyle diseases, as well as values that are interesting to monitor specifically for you as a woman over 50 years old.
Vital laboratory package Total Plus includes 37 values and is an even more comprehensive health check for those who seek a deeper insight into their body’s well-being and greater opportunities to make better choices to improve their health.
GT is one of the standard tests for examining the health of the liver and bile ducts, especially when there is suspicion of alcohol-related health issues.
Alanine aminotransferase (ALAT) is an indicator of the well-being of the liver. It reacts to long-term alcohol use and fatty liver disease caused by excess weight, for example.
High ASAT may indicate tissue damage in important organs.
CRP or a high-sensitivity CRP test is usually carried out if an inflammatory disease is suspected.
Glucose is one of the most common sugars. Blood glucose is also referred to as blood sugar. The blood sugar level can be analysed after fasting or without fasting. The blood sugar level is excessively high, for example, in the case of diabetes.
Homocysteine is an amino acid formed during the body’s metabolism. Its level is often measured when there is suspicion of deficiency in vitamin B12, B6, and B9 (folate). In case of deficiency, the homocysteine level is elevated.
Article updated:
15 May 2024