Isolated high GGT, retested

[vettechick]

Hello, I'm reposting on this forum, I originally posted on the Gastroenterology Community.

I have a bit of a complicated question. Here it goes:

I initially had a paramed exam done to qualify for medical insurance. They called me two days prior to the exam and instructed me to fast 8 hours prior to the exam. However, the days prior to the exam I had had at most 1 beer - so lets say 4 beers that week. The results revealed that I had a high GGT  (147) score. They denied me for insurance. They used a range of 0-45.

I received the results about a week later and I had just returned from a business trip, I had two glasses of wine. After reading up on GGT I have learned that alcohol, even consumed earlier in the week can severely affect the test, as it is very sensitive. So I waited approximately 5 days before I had a second blood test to evaluate my GGT. The results revealed that once again my GGT was high  (67) in a range of 0-60.

All of my other tests are normal, including my ALT, AST and Bili. Tot. None of the results are in the high range.

I am pretty certain that this is just a fluke, as I don't have a history of alcoholism or even severe drinking. Additionally, my GGT results are severely different.

I'm 24 years old, female and within the normal weight range. I have never had a problem with my liver and don't have any symptoms of liver disease.

How long should I wait to retest? What other factors could be affecting my results?

[vettechick]

Thanks. Yea, I think I'll wait about to weeks with no drinking and healthy eating of course. I've already talked to the insurance and they said all I need is to send them a copy of a GGT test w/ good results and they will most likely insure me since nothing else was wrong with my application/exam.

But again, thanks for the input.  

[mikesimon]

I'd wait at least 2 weeks and possibly 1 month. From what you've said it appears as if a small amount of alcohol may have significantly affected your GGT. That surprised me but the numbers suggest that possibility.
I'd wait a while and retest and, if the results are good, I'd talk to a someone who knows the insurance business and could advise you as to how and when to reapply for insurance.
Good luck,
Mike