Guest guest Posted August 12, 2002 Report Share Posted August 12, 2002 How does one get this test done? Can it be ordered through any regular lab, or must it done at a special lab? Thanks, Donna in NC Rich/GGT test > Rich, > > My GGt Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase was measured. > It is 5 U/L (ref range 7-30) > > I read that this enzyme is used in the production of Glutathione.Could this be taken as sign of Glutathione deficiency for me? Do I have to take further tests? Thanks.. > > Nil > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 12, 2002 Report Share Posted August 12, 2002 > Rich, > > My GGt Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase was measured. > It is 5 U/L (ref range 7-30) > > I read that this enzyme is used in the production of Glutathione.Could this be taken as sign of Glutathione deficiency for me? Do I have to take further tests? Thanks.. > > Nil Nil, Gammaglutamyl transpeptidase (GGT)is an enzyme that is found mainly in the cells of the kidneys, liver, and pancreas. It is located on the outer surface of the cells. Its function is to decompose glutathione that is outside the cells, so that its parts can be transported separately into the cells, where it can be reassembled into glutathione. It also functions to decompose glutathione to supply carriers for amino acids, so that they can be transported into cells for use in making glutathione or proteins or other substances. When doctors look at the level of gammaglutamyl transpeptidase in the blood serum, they are usually using it as a diagnostic for liver diseases, such as hepatitis, liver cancer, blockage of bile ducts or damage from alcoholism. In these cases, it is elevated above normal, indicating that liver cells are undergoing necrosis (disorderly cell death). If the level of GGT is lower than normal in the blood serum, it can mean hypothyroidism. I don't understand the physiology involved in this. As far as I know, serum GGT levels have not been studied in CFS. I do think that if your cells are short of GGT, it could interfere with importing glutathione into them, as well as reabsorbing amino acids in the kidneys. This could result in lower than normal levels of some amino acids in the blood. I don't know whether a measurement of GGT in the blood serum will tell whether the cells are short of this enz I don't recall what other tests you have had, but I think that the urine organic acids test is the best one for inferring what the supply of glutathione is inside the skeletal muscle cells. I think the red blood cell glutathione test is good for determining glutathione in the blood, and I think that the detoxification panel is helpful for determining the glutathione level in the liver. Glutathione is compartmentalized in the body, so it tends to be depleted in some tissues before others. I think the skeletal muscle glutathione is depleted first, and probably the glutathione in the nervous system cells as well. The white blood cells of the immune system and the red blood cells are next, and finally the liver becomes depleted. The different tissues and cells have different priorities of access to the raw materials for making glutathione, and also have different levels of the enzymes used to make glutathione. The liver is in the best position, because it has high enzyme levels and also gets the first chance to use the nutrients coming in from the diet via the intestines and the portal duct. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 12, 2002 Report Share Posted August 12, 2002 Thank you so much Rich! Glad that it may indicate hypothyroidism. My standart Thyroid tests come out normal but I think I had hypothyroidism since a long time. Right now it is being checked again. I also read that low GGT may mean pancreatitis.I also have low serum calcium level.I think Pancreatitis is common in later stages of the illness.. I might well have it. " I don't recall what other tests you have had, but I think that the urine organic acids test is the best one for inferring what the supply of glutathione is inside the skeletal muscle cells. I think the red blood cell glutathione test is good for determining glutathione in the blood, and I think that the detoxification panel is helpful for determining the glutathione level in the liver. " Are these standart tests or special ones? Is detoxification panel test same as liver panel? Thanks.. Nil Re: Rich/GGT test | | > Rich, | > | > My GGt Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase was measured. | > It is 5 U/L (ref range 7-30) | > | > I read that this enzyme is used in the production of | Glutathione.Could this be taken as sign of Glutathione deficiency | for me? Do I have to take further tests? Thanks.. | > | > Nil | | Nil, | | Gammaglutamyl transpeptidase (GGT)is an enzyme that is found mainly | in the cells of the kidneys, liver, and pancreas. It is located on | the outer surface of the cells. Its function is to decompose | glutathione that is outside the cells, so that its parts can be | transported separately into the cells, where it can be reassembled | into glutathione. It also functions to decompose glutathione to | supply carriers for amino acids, so that they can be transported into | cells for use in making glutathione or proteins or other substances. | | When doctors look at the level of gammaglutamyl transpeptidase in the | blood serum, they are usually using it as a diagnostic for liver | diseases, such as hepatitis, liver cancer, blockage of bile ducts or | damage from alcoholism. In these cases, it is elevated above normal, | indicating that liver cells are undergoing necrosis (disorderly cell | death). | | If the level of GGT is lower than normal in the blood serum, it can | mean hypothyroidism. I don't understand the physiology involved in | this. | | As far as I know, serum GGT levels have not been studied in CFS. I | do think that if your cells are short of GGT, it could interfere with | importing glutathione into them, as well as reabsorbing amino acids | in the kidneys. This could result in lower than normal levels of some | amino acids in the blood. I don't know whether a measurement of GGT | in the blood serum will tell whether the cells are short of this enz | | I don't recall what other tests you have had, but I think that the | urine organic acids test is the best one for inferring what the | supply of glutathione is inside the skeletal muscle cells. I think | the red blood cell glutathione test is good for determining | glutathione in the blood, and I think that the detoxification panel | is helpful for determining the glutathione level in the liver. | Glutathione is compartmentalized in the body, so it tends to be | depleted in some tissues before others. I think the skeletal muscle | glutathione is depleted first, and probably the glutathione in the | nervous system cells as well. The white blood cells of the immune | system and the red blood cells are next, and finally the liver | becomes depleted. The different tissues and cells have different | priorities of access to the raw materials for making glutathione, and | also have different levels of the enzymes used to make glutathione. | The liver is in the best position, because it has high enzyme levels | and also gets the first chance to use the nutrients coming in from | the diet via the intestines and the portal duct. | | | | This list is intended for patients to share personal experiences with each other, not to give medical advice. If you are interested in any treatment discussed here, please consult your doctor. | | Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 12, 2002 Report Share Posted August 12, 2002 Nil, > | > Rich, > | > > | > My GGt Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase was measured. > | > It is 5 U/L (ref range 7-30) > | > > | > I read that this enzyme is used in the production of > | Glutathione.Could this be taken as sign of Glutathione deficiency > | for me? Do I have to take further tests? Thanks.. > | > > | > Nil > | > | Nil, > | > | Gammaglutamyl transpeptidase (GGT)is an enzyme that is found mainly > | in the cells of the kidneys, liver, and pancreas. It is located on > | the outer surface of the cells. Its function is to decompose > | glutathione that is outside the cells, so that its parts can be > | transported separately into the cells, where it can be reassembled > | into glutathione. It also functions to decompose glutathione to > | supply carriers for amino acids, so that they can be transported into > | cells for use in making glutathione or proteins or other substances. > | > | When doctors look at the level of gammaglutamyl transpeptidase in the > | blood serum, they are usually using it as a diagnostic for liver > | diseases, such as hepatitis, liver cancer, blockage of bile ducts or > | damage from alcoholism. In these cases, it is elevated above normal, > | indicating that liver cells are undergoing necrosis (disorderly cell > | death). > | > | If the level of GGT is lower than normal in the blood serum, it can > | mean hypothyroidism. I don't understand the physiology involved in > | this. > | > | As far as I know, serum GGT levels have not been studied in CFS. I > | do think that if your cells are short of GGT, it could interfere with > | importing glutathione into them, as well as reabsorbing amino acids > | in the kidneys. This could result in lower than normal levels of some > | amino acids in the blood. I don't know whether a measurement of GGT > | in the blood serum will tell whether the cells are short of this enz > | > | I don't recall what other tests you have had, but I think that the > | urine organic acids test is the best one for inferring what the > | supply of glutathione is inside the skeletal muscle cells. I think > | the red blood cell glutathione test is good for determining > | glutathione in the blood, and I think that the detoxification panel > | is helpful for determining the glutathione level in the liver. > | Glutathione is compartmentalized in the body, so it tends to be > | depleted in some tissues before others. I think the skeletal muscle > | glutathione is depleted first, and probably the glutathione in the > | nervous system cells as well. The white blood cells of the immune > | system and the red blood cells are next, and finally the liver > | becomes depleted. The different tissues and cells have different > | priorities of access to the raw materials for making glutathione, and > | also have different levels of the enzymes used to make glutathione. > | The liver is in the best position, because it has high enzyme levels > | and also gets the first chance to use the nutrients coming in from > | the diet via the intestines and the portal duct. > | > | > | > | This list is intended for patients to share personal experiences with each > other, not to give medical advice. If you are interested in any treatment > discussed here, please consult your doctor. > | > | Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 12, 2002 Report Share Posted August 12, 2002 Thanks so much Rich! Good luck! Nil Ynt: Re: Rich/GGT test | Nil, | | | > | > Rich, | > | > | > | > My GGt Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase was measured. | > | > It is 5 U/L (ref range 7-30) | > | > | > | > I read that this enzyme is used in the production of | > | Glutathione.Could this be taken as sign of Glutathione deficiency | > | for me? Do I have to take further tests? Thanks.. | > | > | > | > Nil | > | | > | Nil, | > | | > | Gammaglutamyl transpeptidase (GGT)is an enzyme that is found | mainly | > | in the cells of the kidneys, liver, and pancreas. It is located | on | > | the outer surface of the cells. Its function is to decompose | > | glutathione that is outside the cells, so that its parts can be | > | transported separately into the cells, where it can be reassembled | > | into glutathione. It also functions to decompose glutathione to | > | supply carriers for amino acids, so that they can be transported | into | > | cells for use in making glutathione or proteins or other | substances. | > | | > | When doctors look at the level of gammaglutamyl transpeptidase in | the | > | blood serum, they are usually using it as a diagnostic for liver | > | diseases, such as hepatitis, liver cancer, blockage of bile ducts | or | > | damage from alcoholism. In these cases, it is elevated above | normal, | > | indicating that liver cells are undergoing necrosis (disorderly | cell | > | death). | > | | > | If the level of GGT is lower than normal in the blood serum, it | can | > | mean hypothyroidism. I don't understand the physiology involved | in | > | this. | > | | > | As far as I know, serum GGT levels have not been studied in CFS. | I | > | do think that if your cells are short of GGT, it could interfere | with | > | importing glutathione into them, as well as reabsorbing amino | acids | > | in the kidneys. This could result in lower than normal levels of | some | > | amino acids in the blood. I don't know whether a measurement of | GGT | > | in the blood serum will tell whether the cells are short of this | enz | > | | > | I don't recall what other tests you have had, but I think that the | > | urine organic acids test is the best one for inferring what the | > | supply of glutathione is inside the skeletal muscle cells. I | think | > | the red blood cell glutathione test is good for determining | > | glutathione in the blood, and I think that the detoxification | panel | > | is helpful for determining the glutathione level in the liver. | > | Glutathione is compartmentalized in the body, so it tends to be | > | depleted in some tissues before others. I think the skeletal | muscle | > | glutathione is depleted first, and probably the glutathione in the | > | nervous system cells as well. The white blood cells of the immune | > | system and the red blood cells are next, and finally the liver | > | becomes depleted. The different tissues and cells have different | > | priorities of access to the raw materials for making glutathione, | and | > | also have different levels of the enzymes used to make | glutathione. | > | The liver is in the best position, because it has high enzyme | levels | > | and also gets the first chance to use the nutrients coming in from | > | the diet via the intestines and the portal duct. | > | | > | | > | | > | This list is intended for patients to share personal experiences | with each | > other, not to give medical advice. If you are interested in any | treatment | > discussed here, please consult your doctor. | > | | > | Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 16, 2002 Report Share Posted August 16, 2002 Thank you, Rich You wrote: " According to my diagnostic tests book " - this sounds like a good book to have access to, what is the name of the book? Do you know if interpretation of test results are available on Internet somewhere? Lene Date: Thu, 15 Aug 2002 05:48:41 -0000 From: " rvankonynen " <richvank@... <mailto:richvank@...>> Subject: Subject: Re: Rich/GGT test Lene, Yes, these are two names for the same enzyme. According to my diagnostic tests book, lower than normal values for ALT and AST can be caused by certain drugs, diabetic ketoacidosis, severe liver disease, uremia, or use of alcohol. Decreases in ALT alone can be caused by genitourinary tract infection or malnutrition, and decreases in AST alone can be caused by azotemia or chronic renal dialysis. As you can see, these results by themselves are not very diagnostically specific. In order to figure out what's going on, I think your doctor will have to look at some other things as well. Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 16, 2002 Report Share Posted August 16, 2002 I found this site helpful http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/ggt/glance.html Nil Re: Rich/GGT test | Thank you, Rich | You wrote: " According to my diagnostic tests book " - this sounds like a good book to have access to, what is the name of the book? | Do you know if interpretation of test results are available on Internet somewhere? | | Lene | | Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 16, 2002 Report Share Posted August 16, 2002 " According to my diagnostic tests book " - this sounds like a good book to have access to, what is the name of the book? > Do you know if interpretation of test results are available on Internet somewhere? > > Lene Lene, The book I have is " A Manual of Laboratory & Diagnostic Tests, " sixth edition, 2000, Lippincott, New York. There are more comprehensive books on this subject, but this one was a little cheaper! I don't know of a place on the internet where test results are interpreted. There might be one, but I suspect that the doctors generally reserve this to themselves, because it often isn't straightforward, and it takes judgment and experience to sort out what the results of some tests really mean. Symptoms, health history and physical examination are used together with test results to narrow down the possibilities. I guess that's why people go to medical school! Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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