Empeiria

Liver damage from alcohol

Clinically: Alcohol-related liver disease · also alcoholic liver disease, alcohol liver damage

hepatic MONDO MONDO:0043693 unverified
This describes what this condition typically looks like. It is not a diagnosis and cannot tell you whether you have it -- patterns overlap, results vary between labs, and the same numbers mean different things in different people.

unverified These explanations are written to be easy to read and have not yet been checked against a source. The ranges and measurement notes on this page show theirs.

definition unverified

Sustained alcohol intake injures liver cells. Early on it causes no symptoms and the damage can reverse; later it does not.

Damage to the liver and its function caused by chronic heavy alcohol consumption, comprising a spectrum from simple steatosis through steatohepatitis to cirrhosis and superimposed hepatocellular carcinoma; acute alcohol-associated hepatitis, an acute-on-chronic injury with prominent cholestasis, may supervene with continued excessive intake.

caveats unverified

A characteristic pattern is that AST rises higher than ALT, which is the reverse of most other liver problems. GGT is often raised too. No blood test proves the cause on its own.

A characteristic pattern is that AST rises higher than ALT, which is the reverse of most other liver problems. GGT is often raised too. No blood test proves the cause on its own.

No clinical version written yet.

The typical lab pattern

Consistent with it

Fits the picture, but not enough on its own.

Aspartate aminotransferase high — Part of the consensus criteria for alcohol-related hepatitis: AST above 50 but below 400 IU/L, with an AST:ALT ratio above 1.5. Classically higher than ALT.
Gamma-glutamyl transferase high — Often raised and helps support the diagnosis, but it is not specific to alcohol.
Alanine aminotransferase high — Often raised, but usually less than AST. In alcohol-related hepatitis the AST:ALT ratio is above 1.5.
Mean corpuscular volume high — Enlarged red cells (macrocytosis) can help support the diagnosis.
Bilirubin, total high — Part of the consensus criteria for alcohol-related hepatitis: bilirubin above 3 mg/dL (about 50 µmol/L). A high level also marks more advanced disease.
Followed over time

Tracked once it is established.

Albumin low — A low albumin points to more advanced disease, once the liver can no longer make enough protein. It is of little help early on.

How it usually feels

Frequencies say how often a symptom accompanies this condition — not the other way round. Most people with any of these symptoms do not have this.