Gamma-glutamyl transferase

Gamma-glutamyl transferase

Synonyms - Specimen - Reference Value - Method - Description - Indications - Interpretation

Synonyms : Serum Gamma-glutamyl transferase : glutamyl transpeptidase , GGT , SGGT

Specimen : Serum or plasma

Reference Value : Male 1 - 94 U/L - Female 1 - 70 U/L

Method : Spectrophotometry

Description

Gamma-Glutamyltransferase (GGT) assists with the reabsorption of amino acids and peptides from glomerular filtrate and intestinal lumen . Hepatobiliary , renal tubular , and pancreatic tissue contain large amounts of GGT . Other sources include the prostate gland , brain and heart .

GGT is elevated in all types of liver disease and is more responsive to biliary obstruction , cholangitis , or cholecystitis than any of the other enzymes used as markers for liver disease . GGT is found primarily in microsomal location as aggregates . A small portion ( <5 % ) is found in the cytoplasm . Disaggregation and increased synthesis result in increased activity in serum . GGT increases may precede increases in SAP and is a more sensitive indicator of liver disease

Indication

- Assits in the diagnosis of obstructive jaundice in neonates

- Detect the presence of liver disease

Interpretation

Increased in

- Hepatobiliary tract obstruction ( intrahepatic or extra-hepatic)

- Obstructive liver disease

- Cirrhosis

- Diabetes with hypertension

- Hepatitis

- Hepatocellular carcinoma

- Hyperthyroidism

- Pancreatitis

Comments

MICROSCOPIC URINALYSIS

MICROSCOPIC URINALYSIS Methodology A sample of well-mixed urine (usually 10-15 ml) is centrifuged in a test tube at relatively low speed (about 2-3,000 rpm) for 5-10 minutes until a moderately cohesive button is produced at the bottom of the tube. The supernatant is decanted and a volume of 0.2 to 0.5 ml is left inside the tube. The sediment is resuspended in the remaining supernatant by flicking the bottom of the tube several times. A drop of resuspended sediment is poured onto a glass slide and coverslipped.

Liver Enzymes

Liver Enzymes Definition A liver enzyme is a protein that helps to speed up a chemical reaction in the liver. Liver function tests are blood tests that are used to evaluate various functions of the liver - for example, metabolism, storage, filtration and excretion, which are often performed by liver enzymes. However, not all liver function tests are measures of enzyme function. • ALT - (alanine aminotransferase ) - was previously called SGPT is more specific for liver damage. The ALT is an enzyme that is produced in the liver cells (hepatocytes) therefore it is more specific for liver disease than some of the other enzymes. It is generally increased in situations where there is damage to the liver cell membranes. All types of liver inflammation can cause raised ALT. • AST - (aspartate aminotransferase) which was previously called SGOT. This is a mitochondrial enzyme that is also present in heart, muscle, kidney and brain therefore it is less specific

Interpretation Of Lab Results

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