--- title: "Evidence: Gamma-glutamyl transferase" description: "Higher GGT levels are linked to an increased risk of death from all causes and specific diseases like heart disease, cancer, respiratory illness, and…" url: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s156.md" canonical: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s156.html" html: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s156.html" type: "study" study_key: "s156" journal: "Sci Rep" year: 2023 pmid: "36720971" doi: "10.1038/s41598-022-25970-0" citations: 1 updated: 2026-09-02 author: "Gabriel Radu, DO" author_credentials: "Physiatrist (PM&R). NY medical license 275110. NPI 1376861765." publisher: "Magellan Longevity" content_format: "markdown" --- # Evidence: Gamma-glutamyl transferase [Home](https://magellanlongevity.com/) › [Research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html) › Evidence: Gamma-glutamyl transferase **HTML version:** https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s156.html · **In the Magellan app:** https://magellanlongevity.com/#/study/s156 ## Citation | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Journal | Sci Rep | | Year | 2023 | | PMID | [36720971](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36720971/) | | DOI | [10.1038/s41598-022-25970-0](https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-25970-0) | | Study key | s156 | ## Takeaway Higher GGT levels are linked to an increased risk of death from all causes and specific diseases like heart disease, cancer, respiratory illness, and liver disease. ## The question What is the association between gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) levels and all-cause and disease-specific mortality? ## Hypothesis The study aims to examine the association of GGT with all-cause and disease-specific mortality, given inconsistent population-based data. ## Methods This study used the Korean nationwide database, including 9,687,066 subjects without viral hepatitis or cirrhosis who underwent a health examination in 2009. Subjects were categorized into three groups based on sex-specific tertiles of serum GGT levels. The underlying causes of death were classified using the 10th Revision of the International Classification of Diseases codes. The median follow-up period was 8.3 years. ## Results During the 8.3-year follow-up, 460,699 deaths were identified. All-cause mortality increased with higher serum GGT levels (HR 1.05 in the middle tertile, 1.33 in the high tertile). Similar trends were observed for cardiovascular disease (HR 1.07 in the middle tertile, 1.29 in the high tertile), cancer (HR 1.08 in the middle tertile, 1.38 in the high tertile), respiratory disease (HR 1.10 in the middle tertile, 1.39 in the high tertile), and liver disease mortality (HR 1.74 in the middle tertile, 6.73 in the high tertile). These associations persisted regardless of smoking, alcohol consumption, and history of previous CVD and cancer. ## Conclusion Higher serum GGT levels are associated with an increased risk of all-cause and disease-specific mortality in the general population. Serum GGT levels may be useful for risk assessment. ## Limitations The abstract does not explicitly state any limitations of the study. ## Verbatim from the abstract > serum GGT may be useful for risk assessment of all-cause and disease-specific mortality ## Hazard Ratios for Mortality by GGT Tertile (Compared to Low Tertile) | Measure | Hazard Ratio | | --- | --- | | All-cause (Middle) | 1.05 | | All-cause (High) | 1.33 | | CVD (Middle) | 1.07 | | CVD (High) | 1.29 | | Cancer (Middle) | 1.08 | | Cancer (High) | 1.38 | | Respiratory (Middle) | 1.1 | | Respiratory (High) | 1.39 | | Liver (Middle) | 1.74 | | Liver (High) | 6.73 | *Hazard ratios for all-cause and disease-specific mortality in the middle and high GGT tertiles, compared to the low GGT tertile.* ## Where this study is used on Magellan This paper is one of the citations behind the evidence grade on the pages below. Grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of affiliate commissions. | Compound or device | Evidence grade | Graded pages | | --- | --- | --- | | GGT Liver-Health Test | Measurement tool | [GGT Liver-Health Test](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/156.md) | ## Reference 1. **Evidence: Gamma-glutamyl transferase** Sci Rep 2023 · [PMID 36720971](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36720971/) · [DOI 10.1038/s41598-022-25970-0](https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-25970-0) > serum GGT may be useful for risk assessment of all-cause and disease-specific mortality ## Structured data ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"MedicalWebPage","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s156.html#page","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s156.html","name":"Evidence: Gamma-glutamyl transferase","description":"Higher GGT levels are linked to an increased risk of death from all causes and specific diseases like heart disease, cancer, respiratory illness, and…","inLanguage":"en","isPartOf":{"@type":"WebSite","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Gabriel Radu, DO","jobTitle":"Physiatrist (PM&R)","identifier":[{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NPI","value":"1376861765"},{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NY medical license","value":"275110"}]},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"encoding":{"@type":"MediaObject","encodingFormat":"text/markdown","contentUrl":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s156.md"},"dateModified":"2026-09-02"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Research map","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Evidence: Gamma-glutamyl transferase","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s156.html"}]},{"@type":"ScholarlyArticle","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s156.html#study","name":"Evidence: Gamma-glutamyl transferase","headline":"Evidence: Gamma-glutamyl transferase","datePublished":"2023","isPartOf":{"@type":"Periodical","name":"Sci Rep"},"identifier":"PMID:36720971","url":"https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36720971/","sameAs":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-25970-0","abstract":"Higher GGT levels are linked to an increased risk of death from all causes and specific diseases like heart disease, cancer, respiratory illness, and liver disease."}]} ``` ## Related on Magellan Longevity - [GGT Liver-Health Test](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/156.md) — product graded on this and related evidence - [Can Serum Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase Predict All-Cause Mortality in Hypertensive Patients?](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d39347158.md) - [Longevity research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html) - [Evidence-based longevity supplements](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-supplements.md) ## Scope and disclosures Educational information, not medical advice. Nothing here is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk to your physician before starting any supplement or device, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medication. Editorial firewall: evidence grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of any affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate, Magellan Longevity earns from qualifying purchases. Reviewed for accuracy by a board-certified physician (DO).