Based on this observation, they also “speculated that subjects diagnosed with diabetes were more inclined to receive further treatment, which may correct their urinary albumin excretion.” Here again, similar to the observation of obesity occurring downstream of elevated GGT, there are a number of studies that show that new onset diabetes often occurs more frequently among individuals with higher GGT levels, irrespective to body weight or BMI. This evidence concerns the gene ALB and obesity due to melanocortin 4 receptor deficiency.