The Vizborov lines “if I get sick, I won’t go to the doctors” now sound somehow irrelevant. Sooner or later, we all go to the doctors. And doctors usually direct us to take tests to create a more complete picture and clarify the diagnosis.
And now, having received the results in our hands, we peer at the form and try to decipher what we have. If indicators are invested in a range of standards, then we breathe a sigh of relief, saying that everything is in order with me. But, if they go beyond the bounds, then questions arise. When you ask questions about this to the doctor, then you can get a maximum of something tricky medical. Regarding explanations in understandable language, doctors are akin to computer scientists. But when you turn to the latter, the subtext of the answer is that you still don’t understand, and you don’t need to understand the doctors.
So, if we are not medical workers and biochemists, and the results of the tests are disturbing, we must learn to read these indicators.
For example, let's try to decipher the results of this type of analysis, as gamma-glutamyltransferase. In medical documents, it is usually abbreviated as gamma-GT or simply GGT.
To begin with, we will clarify that this is a biochemical blood test, which is necessary to obtain a more voluminous picture of how the organs of the body work. Gamma-GT is an enzyme that is one of the indicators that is active in many organs of the body. But most of all, it is produced by the cells of the liver and such glands as the pancreas, thyroid, and prostate.
If the GGT analysis showed the norm, and the rest of the indicators are within the acceptable range, then there is nothing to worry about. If the indicators are underestimated, then this may indicate a decrease in thyroid function, that is, hypothyroidism. And this is a direct road to the endocrinologist.
But most of the questions arise with increased values ​​of the indicators of analysis. If gamma-hypertension is elevated, then it is worth exploring in more detail.
Firstly, you could take any medications, but they turned out to be toxic to the liver, as a result, the enzyme is activated, and the indicators increase. If you look at the instructions for the use of certain drugs, then in the side effects section you can find a record about the possibility of increased GGT.
Secondly, the same goes for drinking alcohol. This analysis allows you to diagnose alcoholism in the early stages when symptoms are not yet apparent.
Thirdly, the organs associated with bile, and this is the liver, bile ducts, gall bladder, form a system called hepatobiliary. Any disturbance in this system can result in increased gamma-GT. In case of violation of the process of formation or excretion of bile, depending on the localization of the pathology, intrahepatic or extrahepatic cholestasis develops, in which gamma-HT is multiplied.
Fourth, there may be an increase in GGT with impaired renal function, increased thyroid function (hyperthyroidism), while taking some hormonal drugs. The relationships between increased gamma-GT activity and the risk of cardiovascular diseases were revealed, for men, increased rates may indicate problems with the prostate.
It must be said that the high coefficients of this analysis are markers of identifying other pathological manifestations in the body. But most often such an examination is prescribed to identify the above deviations.
To top it off, I would like to note that, nevertheless, only a professional, and an experienced one who can compare the indicators of the study with the symptoms and complaints shown, can give the correct interpretation of the test results. Well, the information provided will help to better understand the results of the analysis, because when it understands not one but two, a tandem is created. And in tandem it is always easier to work and make the right decision.