Biomarkers · Liver & Nutritional
Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase (GGT)
Lower values carry lower risk. In NHANES 1999–2018 with linked mortality to 2019, each standard deviation is associated with a hazard ratio of 1.26. Reproduces in NHANES
NHANES, our fit with 95% CIPublished curve
Hazard ratios relative to each curve's own reference value, so the two curves need not cross 1 at the same point. The dotted vertical line marks the NHANES median.
NHANES hazard per SD1.2695% CI 1.23–1.29 · 48,360 adults, 7,025 deaths
Published hazard ratio1.45top vs bottom third (95% CI 1.32–1.59) · Meta-analysis of 31 Prospective Cohort Studies
Where people sit
Population percentiles (U/L) by sex and age band. Cycle or source as recorded in the catalogue.
| Sex | Age | 5th | 25th | Median | 75th | 95th | n | Cycle / source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All | 20-39 | 8.00 | 13.0 | 18.0 | 27.0 | 72.0 | 2,700 | 2017-2018 |
| All | 40-59 | 10.0 | 16.0 | 24.0 | 38.0 | 105 | 2,650 | 2017-2018 |
| All | 60+ | 10.0 | 16.0 | 23.0 | 35.0 | 92.0 | 2,800 | 2017-2018 |
| All | all | 9.00 | 15.0 | 21.0 | 33.0 | 89.0 | 8,150 | 2017-2018 |
| Men | all | 12.0 | 19.0 | 27.0 | 43.0 | 115 | 3,950 | 2017-2018 |
| Women | all | 8.00 | 13.0 | 17.0 | 26.0 | 66.0 | 4,200 | 2017-2018 |
What studies found when this marker was changed
Effects on the biomarker reported in the cited studies. They describe what happened in those populations, not a recommendation for anyone. See all catalogued interventions.
| Type | Intervention | Reported effect | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| behavioral | Cessation or drastic reduction of alcohol intake and coffee consumption (2-3 cups/day) | Lowers serum GGT by 30-65% within 4-8 weeks | cohort | Kunutsor SK, et al. Liver enzymes and risk of all-cause and cardiovascular morta… |
| behavioral | Complete alcohol abstinence in heavy drinkers | -40% to -70% reduction within 4-8 weeks | prospective cohort | Whitfield JB. Crit Rev Clin Lab Sci. 2001;38:263-355. |
| diet | High dietary antioxidant intake and regular coffee consumption | -15% to -30% reduction | meta-analysis | Xiao Q, et al. Hepatology. 2014;60:2020-2030. |
| diet | Chronic heavy alcohol consumption | +150% to +600% elevation (>80 U/L) | meta-analysis | Conigrave KM, et al. Addiction. 2002;97:1429-1437. |
| nutraceutical | Glutathione / N-Acetylcysteine (NAC 1200 mg/day) supplementation | -10% to -25% reduction | rct | Khoshbaten M, et al. Hepat Mon. 2010;10:12-16. |
| pharmacologic | Enzyme-inducing anticonvulsants (Phenytoin, Carbamazepine, Phenobarbital) | +50% to +200% elevation without liver damage | clinical guideline | Luoma PV, et al. Acta Med Scand. 1982;211:423-426. |
Sources
- Hazard curve: Eur J Epidemiol 2014; 29:309-324
- Kunutsor SK, et al. Gamma-glutamyltransferase and risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies. Eur J Epidemiol. 2014;29(6):381-392.
- Empirical curve: our Cox model with age and sex, NHANES 1999–2018 with linked mortality to 2019.
Map Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase (GGT) against another biomarker.