Patients who are enrolled in an alcohol treatment program can be monitored for relapse by standard liver function tests.
Test ordering: GGT, AST (SGOT), ALT (SGPT)
Specimens:
(1) baseline levels: after 4 weeks or more of confirmed abstinence
(2) periodic monitoring thereafter
monitoring value-to-baseline value ratio =
= (monitoring value) / (baseline value)
Interpretation:
• An increase in the serum level of any of the 3 enzymes above the baseline may indicate a return to drinking.
Test
Monitoring Value-to-Baseline Value Ratio
GGT
>= 1.20
AST
>= 1.40
ALT
>= 1.20
Limitations:
• This method can be nonspecific. The presence of chronic viral hepatitis C, or other liver disease may cause elevation in liver function tests and would preclude the use of this protocol for monitoring alcohol use.
• This method can be insensitive. The protocol is somewhat insensitive, as it assumes that the drinking is sufficient to injure the liver.
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