Alcohol biochemistry Flashcards
Which LFT is acutely raised after alcohol consumpion?
GGT
What is the MCV normally in a chronic alcoholic?
High
They suffer a macrocytic anaemia
What are triglycerides like in a chronic alcoholic?
Raised
What causes raised triglycerides in the chronic alcoholic patient?
Alcohol stimulates the production of triglycerides in the liver
How do you estimate the serum osmoloarity?
2 times the Na concentration
What is the osmolal gap?
The difference between the measured serum osmolarity and estimated serum osmolarity?
What does a large osmolal gap suggest?
That there is a large concentration of a non measured substance in the blood e.g alcohol
What does the term toxic alcohol refer to?
Any alcohol besides ethanol
e.g methanol and ethylene glycol
What blood condition is caused by toxic alcohol consumption?
Profound acidosis
On suspect of toxic alcohol consumption which blood test should be ordered?
Look for the toxin if possible
Serum osmolarity
U&Es
When is ALT released?
When hepatocytes are damaged
What is ALT a measure of?
Liver damage
Where is ALP found?
Liver, bile canaliculi
Bone, osteoblasts
Kidneys, proximal tubules
S.intestines, epithelium
Where is GGT found?
Liver
Kidneys
Pancreas
Prostate
Why is albumin not a good measure for current liver funciton?
As it has a half life of ~3 weeks
