Liver Enzyme Tests
Although these enzymes may be produced by other tissues in the body, an unexplained elevation of one or more of these enzymes is a concern for an impairment of liver function. The liver enzymes most commonly encountered include:
• SGOT (serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase) also known as AST (aspartate aminotransferase)
• SGPT (serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase) also known as ALT (alanine aminotransferase)
• GGTP or GGT (gamma-glutamyl transferase or transpeptidase)
Elevations of SGOT and SGPT are usually caused by some type of liver cell damage which alters the permeability of the cell membrane and allows the enzyme to “leak out.” The degree of elevation roughly parallels the extent of liver cell damage. GGTP is a very sensitive enzyme for the early detection of liver disease or damage. Many different impairments may cause an elevation such as: hepatitis, cirrhosis, fatty liver, carcinoma, alcohol use, some medications (such as barbituates, tranquilizers, dilantin, digoxin, and cholesterol-lowering drugs, e.g. Mevacor), and a variety of infiltrative diseases.