Biochemistry of Alcohol

Question 1

Biochemical tests for chronic drinkers

Answer 1

• GGT levels
• MCV
• Triglycerides

Question 2

What does MCV stand for

Answer 2

Mean corpuscular volume

Question 3

Biochemical tests for an acute drinker

Answer 3

• Osmolality

- Osmolol gap

Question 4

Biochemical tests for abdominal pain?

Answer 4

• LFT

- Amylase

Question 5

Biochemical tests for vomiting

Answer 5

• U&E
• LFT
• Amylase
• ABG

Question 6

Biochemical tests for GI bleed

Answer 6

• U&E
• LFT
• Prothrombin
• Lactate

Question 7

What is serum osmolality?

Answer 7

Measure of different solutes in plasma

Question 8

What is the simplest way to calculate serum osmolality?

Answer 8

2 x [Na]

Question 9

What is osmolal gap

Answer 9

The difference between measured osmolality and calculated osmolality

Question 10

If an osmolal gap is present what does this show?

Answer 10

That there is something else in the patients blood

Question 11

What does ALT stand for?

Answer 11

Alanine aminotransferase

Question 12

What does ALT a measure of?

Answer 12

Measures liver damage - present in hepatocytes and is released when hepatocytes release their contents.

Question 13

What is bilirubin?

Answer 13

A breakdown product of haemoglobin.

Question 14

Is bilirubin conjugated or unconjugated when taken up by the liver?

Answer 14

Unconjugated

Question 15

What happens to bilirubin in the liver?

Answer 15

Becomes conjugated

Question 16

Where is alkaline phosphate found?

Answer 16

• Bone
• Liver
• Kidneys
• Placenta
• Small intestine

Question 17

Where is albumin synthesised?

Answer 17

In the liver

Question 18

What is GGT?

Answer 18

Glutamyl transpeptidase

Question 19

What does a raised GGT show?

Answer 19

Biliary epithelial damage or obstruction to bile flow.

Question 20

What does PT stand for?

Answer 20

Prothrombin time

Question 21

What is prothrombin time?

Answer 21

Gives an indication of the patient’s bleeding tendency