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Multiple Choice

Which profile best describes the analyte changes associated with alcoholism?

Alcoholism often causes liver injury and nutritional deficiencies, producing a characteristic pattern in these labs. The liver’s ability to make proteins declines, so albumin drops and total protein also tends to fall. Poor nutrition and liver damage lead to folate deficiency, so folate levels are decreased. Chronic alcohol use stresses the liver, which is reflected by an increase in gamma-GGT. Ethanol itself raises the serum osmolality, so osmolality increases. The altered redox state from ethanol metabolism can raise lactate levels. Chronic alcohol intake is commonly associated with low magnesium and low potassium due to poor intake and losses. Putting these together, the profile with albumin decreased, alcohol level increased, osmolality increased, folate decreased, GGT increased, lactate increased, magnesium decreased, potassium decreased, and total protein decreased best fits.

Alcoholism often causes liver injury and nutritional deficiencies, producing a characteristic pattern in these labs. The liver’s ability to make proteins declines, so albumin drops and total protein also tends to fall. Poor nutrition and liver damage lead to folate deficiency, so folate levels are decreased. Chronic alcohol use stresses the liver, which is reflected by an increase in gamma-GGT. Ethanol itself raises the serum osmolality, so osmolality increases. The altered redox state from ethanol metabolism can raise lactate levels. Chronic alcohol intake is commonly associated with low magnesium and low potassium due to poor intake and losses. Putting these together, the profile with albumin decreased, alcohol level increased, osmolality increased, folate decreased, GGT increased, lactate increased, magnesium decreased, potassium decreased, and total protein decreased best fits.