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Can Blood Test Differentiate Cholesterol Medication Raised And Alcohol Raised Liver Enzymes?
Question: Cholesterol meds raise liver enzymes / alcohol raise liver enzymes .. can a blood test differentiate between the two as to the cause
Brief Answer:
There are indirect indications
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
There is no easy way to directly test for alcohol or drug related liver damage and be 100% certain. Biopsy has a characteristic appearance in alcoholic liver disease but this is not an easy procedure. Blood tests can be somewhat helpful. In alcoholic liver disease the transaminases are elevated. But SGOT (AST) is higher than SGPT (ALT). It's almost the double. But this distinction is not easily applied in all cases. For example there could be damage from both alcohol and drugs, so a mixed biochemical picture would be expected. Or the patient could also have hepatitis... etc
One more thing about alcoholic liver disease. You should not expect very high transaminase values (like 600 or 1000 U/L). It's much more possible to have values around 200-300 U/L.
So in conclusion, biopsy and the relation between SGOT and SGPT values are indicative of alcoholic liver disease.
I hope I've helped!
If you'd like me to clarify any of the above, please use your follow-up questions. I'll be glad to do so.
Kind Regards!
There are indirect indications
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
There is no easy way to directly test for alcohol or drug related liver damage and be 100% certain. Biopsy has a characteristic appearance in alcoholic liver disease but this is not an easy procedure. Blood tests can be somewhat helpful. In alcoholic liver disease the transaminases are elevated. But SGOT (AST) is higher than SGPT (ALT). It's almost the double. But this distinction is not easily applied in all cases. For example there could be damage from both alcohol and drugs, so a mixed biochemical picture would be expected. Or the patient could also have hepatitis... etc
One more thing about alcoholic liver disease. You should not expect very high transaminase values (like 600 or 1000 U/L). It's much more possible to have values around 200-300 U/L.
So in conclusion, biopsy and the relation between SGOT and SGPT values are indicative of alcoholic liver disease.
I hope I've helped!
If you'd like me to clarify any of the above, please use your follow-up questions. I'll be glad to do so.
Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
What is the role of GGT in this equation? what affects this:..alcohol? statins?
Brief Answer:
Both may affect it
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
gamma glutamyl transferase (g-GT) can be affected by many drugs, alcohol consumption and cholestatic conditions. Increased g-GT is not a specific finding for alcoholic liver disease, although a rising g-GT may reveal continuing alcohol consumption. The most reliable findings are the ones I've presented in my previous answer. Of course alcohol consumption without increased g-GT is not possible. It's just that the g-GT is not specific enough, which means that it can rise in many conditions.
I hope my answer, clarified this for you!
If you'd like more information, please contact me again.
Kind Regards!
Both may affect it
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
gamma glutamyl transferase (g-GT) can be affected by many drugs, alcohol consumption and cholestatic conditions. Increased g-GT is not a specific finding for alcoholic liver disease, although a rising g-GT may reveal continuing alcohol consumption. The most reliable findings are the ones I've presented in my previous answer. Of course alcohol consumption without increased g-GT is not possible. It's just that the g-GT is not specific enough, which means that it can rise in many conditions.
I hope my answer, clarified this for you!
If you'd like more information, please contact me again.
Kind Regards!
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
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