GGT: normal range and what it means
A liver enzyme sensitive to alcohol and bile flow.
Normal range
This marker’s healthy range depends on sex and age.
| Normal range | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| Optimal | < 35 U/L | < 25 U/L |
| Borderline | 35 – 55 U/L | 25 – 38 U/L |
| High | ≥ 55 U/L | ≥ 38 U/L |
What it measures
A liver enzyme that is unusually sensitive to alcohol and to bile-flow problems. It is the marker that most reliably reflects recent drinking.
What moves it
The most alcohol-sensitive liver enzyme, and also responsive to some medications and fatty liver. Often the first to move.
How to bring it into range
It falls quickly with abstinence, often noticeably within a few weeks. Raised GGT with a normal ALT points towards alcohol or medication.
How fast it responds
Two to six weeks.
Also reported as: gamma glutamyl transferase · ggtp
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Common questions
- What is a normal GGT level?
- Optimal: < 35 U/L. This marker’s healthy range depends on sex and age.
- What does a high GGT mean?
- A value above the reference band means GGT is outside the range typical for a healthy adult. A single reading is rarely conclusive on its own — what matters is the trend across draws and the other markers around it, which is why HealthOS reads the whole panel together rather than one number at a time.
- How do I improve my GGT?
- It falls quickly with abstinence, often noticeably within a few weeks. Raised GGT with a normal ALT points towards alcohol or medication.
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Reference ranges are general-population guidance compiled from common clinical laboratories, not a diagnosis. Lab-to-lab ranges differ. Always read your results with your doctor.