Biomarker guide · Liver health

GGT blood test in the UK

A GGT (gamma-glutamyl transferase) blood test is one of the most sensitive liver markers, and often the first to rise with alcohol or fatty liver. In the UK you can test it privately in TrueVitals Advanced (£319, 74 biomarkers) or Ultimate (£399, 140 biomarkers), both including the clinic draw and a full liver panel: ALT, AST, ALP, bilirubin, albumin and GGT.

In: Advanced, Ultimate & SignatureFrom: £319 incl. drawSample: Venous bloodResults: 4 working days

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What GGT is

GGT is an enzyme found mainly in the liver and bile ducts. When liver cells are under strain, or bile does not flow freely, more of it leaks into the blood. It is very sensitive, which is useful for catching early change, but not very specific: it can rise for several reasons, so it is always read alongside the other liver enzymes.

Common reasons GGT is raised

Alcohol. Regular drinking is the classic cause, even at levels people consider moderate. GGT often falls within weeks of cutting back (see our Dry January liver test).
Fatty liver (MASLD). Very common with insulin resistance and carrying weight around the middle.
Medicines. Some anti-epileptics, statins and other drugs can raise it.
Bile duct problems such as gallstones, usually with a raised ALP too.
Other liver conditions including hepatitis.

Higher GGT within the normal range has also been linked in research to higher cardiometabolic risk, which is why your report looks at where you sit within the range, not just whether you are flagged.

Reading GGT with the other liver markers

GGT high, ALP high

Suggests the bile ducts (cholestasis)
Worth a GP review and often an ultrasound

GGT high, ALP normal

Points to alcohol, fatty liver or medicines
ALT and AST help show how much the liver cells themselves are affected

Typical ranges

Reference ranges vary by lab and are usually higher for men. Typical upper limits are roughly 50 to 60 U/L for men and 35 to 40 U/L for women. Your report uses the lab's own range for your sample.

Where to get a GGT test in the UK

Option	Includes it	Price	What else you get
TrueVitals Advanced	Yes	£319 incl. clinic draw (home visit £29 extra)	Full liver panel with GGT, within 74 biomarkers. Clinician-reviewed report in 4 working days.
TrueVitals Ultimate	Yes	£399 incl. clinic draw (home visit £29 extra)	Adds fasting insulin and HOMA-IR, useful when fatty liver is the question.
TrueVitals Signature	Yes	£799 incl. draw	230 biomarkers at Randox Health clinics, up to 12 working days.
NHS GP	On request	Free if clinically indicated	Not every GP liver profile includes GGT.

TrueVitals prices checked 5 November 2026. Every TrueVitals report is clinician-reviewed. Pay in instalments with Klarna or Clearpay. Book a draw at one of 103 partner clinics, or add a home visit.

Be honest with yourself about what this test is for

When you should not wait for a private test: yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine with pale stools, or severe pain under the right ribs need a GP the same day or 111. A blood panel is for checking and tracking, not for urgent symptoms.

A private panel is a good way to get a baseline, understand a result in context and track it over time. It does not replace your GP for symptoms, and anything that needs follow-up is flagged in plain words in your report.

Read alongside

GGT on its own rarely tells the whole story. In TrueVitals panels it is reported with these related markers:

ALT ASTALPBilirubinTriglycerides Fasting insulin

Frequently asked questions

What does a high GGT mean?

Most often alcohol, fatty liver or a medicine. It can also point to bile duct problems, especially if ALP is raised too. A single raised GGT is common and is not a diagnosis; your clinician-reviewed report explains it against your other results and lifestyle answers.

How quickly does GGT come down after stopping alcohol?

It often falls noticeably within a few weeks and can return towards normal in around one to two months, depending on how high it was. A repeat test after a break is a good way to see the effect.

Do I need to fast for a GGT test?

Not for GGT itself. If your panel includes glucose, insulin or triglycerides (Advanced and Ultimate do), fasting overnight makes those results more accurate.

Is GGT included in a standard liver function test?

Not always. Some liver profiles leave it out. TrueVitals Advanced, Ultimate and Signature all include it.

Can exercise raise GGT?

Heavy exercise mainly affects AST and creatine kinase rather than GGT. If AST is raised but GGT and ALT are normal, recent training is a common explanation. See our blood test for gym-goers.

Should I see a GP about a high GGT?

If it is clearly above range, or other liver markers are also raised, yes. Take your report along: it lists the results and ranges your GP will want to see.

How this page was written: by James Smillie, founder of TrueVitals, reviewed by the TrueVitals clinical review team, using NHS and laboratory reference sources. Ranges are typical values; your report uses your lab's own ranges. TrueVitals sells the panels named on this page, so we have stated plainly what this test cannot do. Last updated 5 November 2026.

Test it properly, with the context around it

Ultimate: 140 biomarkers (139 for women), £399 including the clinic draw, home visit £29 extra. Clinician-reviewed report within 4 working days.

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