Question 1

What is Alcoholic Hepatitis?

Accepted Answer

Alcoholic hepatitis is a serious liver condition characterized by inflammation and damage to liver tissue. It is caused by excessive and prolonged alcohol consumption that overwhelms the liver's ability to process alcohol, leading to toxic byproduct accumulation and inflammatory responses. The Alkaline Phosphatase Isoenzymes test is the most important test for diagnosis because it measures specific liver enzymes that become elevated when the liver is inflamed or damaged.

Question 2

What causes alcoholic hepatitis?

Accepted Answer

Alcoholic hepatitis is caused by excessive and prolonged alcohol consumption that damages liver cells. When you drink alcohol, your liver breaks it down into toxic substances like acetaldehyde, which trigger inflammation and kill liver cells. Heavy drinking over many years overwhelms the liver's ability to repair itself, leading to progressive inflammation and scarring. The risk increases significantly with drinking more than 3-4 drinks daily for men or 2-3 drinks daily for women over several years.

Question 3

What is the best test for alcoholic hepatitis?

Accepted Answer

The Alkaline Phosphatase Isoenzymes test is the most important test for alcoholic hepatitis because it specifically identifies elevated liver enzymes that indicate active liver inflammation and damage. This test measures different forms of alkaline phosphatase enzymes, and the liver-specific isoenzymes become markedly elevated when the liver is inflamed from alcohol consumption. Your healthcare provider may also order additional tests like AST, ALT, GGT, bilirubin, and complete blood counts to assess the full extent of liver damage and rule out other causes of liver disease.

Question 4

When should I get tested for alcoholic hepatitis?

Accepted Answer

You should get tested if you have a history of heavy alcohol use and develop symptoms like yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), abdominal pain especially in the upper right side, nausea and vomiting, fever, or unexplained fatigue and weakness. Testing is also important if you notice swelling in your abdomen or legs, loss of appetite, or if you've been told you have elevated liver enzymes in the past. Early detection through blood testing can help prevent progression to more severe liver damage like cirrhosis.

Question 5

What are the symptoms of alcoholic hepatitis?

Accepted Answer

Symptoms of alcoholic hepatitis include jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), abdominal pain and tenderness particularly in the upper right side, nausea and vomiting, fever, and extreme fatigue. You might also experience loss of appetite, weight loss, swelling in the abdomen or legs, confusion or mental changes, and easy bruising or bleeding. Some people with mild alcoholic hepatitis may have no symptoms at all, while others with severe cases can develop life-threatening complications requiring immediate medical attention.

Question 6

Who is at risk for alcoholic hepatitis?

Accepted Answer

People who consume large amounts of alcohol regularly are at highest risk for alcoholic hepatitis, particularly those drinking more than 3-4 drinks daily for men or 2-3 drinks daily for women over many years. Women are more susceptible than men to alcohol-related liver damage even at lower consumption levels. Other risk factors include obesity, malnutrition, genetic factors that affect alcohol metabolism, hepatitis C infection, and continuing to drink alcohol despite having existing liver disease. Binge drinking patterns also significantly increase risk.

Question 7

What happens if alcoholic hepatitis is left untreated?

Accepted Answer

Untreated alcoholic hepatitis can progress to life-threatening complications including cirrhosis (permanent liver scarring), liver failure, bleeding from enlarged veins in the esophagus, kidney failure, and liver cancer. The inflamed liver loses its ability to perform essential functions like filtering toxins, producing proteins needed for blood clotting, and processing nutrients. Severe alcoholic hepatitis has a mortality rate of 30-50% within 30 days without treatment. Complete abstinence from alcohol and early medical intervention are critical to prevent these potentially fatal outcomes.

Question 8

Can alcoholic hepatitis be diagnosed with a blood test?

Accepted Answer

Yes, alcoholic hepatitis can be diagnosed with blood tests that measure liver enzymes and function markers. The Alkaline Phosphatase Isoenzymes test specifically identifies liver inflammation, while other blood tests like AST, ALT, GGT, and bilirubin levels help confirm the diagnosis and assess severity. Blood tests also evaluate liver function by measuring albumin, prothrombin time, and complete blood counts. While blood tests are essential diagnostic tools, your doctor will also consider your medical history, alcohol consumption patterns, physical examination findings, and sometimes imaging studies or liver biopsy for a complete assessment.

Question 9

How is alcoholic hepatitis treated?

Accepted Answer

Treatment for alcoholic hepatitis begins with complete and permanent abstinence from alcohol, which is essential for recovery and preventing further liver damage. Your doctor may prescribe corticosteroids like prednisolone to reduce liver inflammation in severe cases, along with nutritional support including vitamin supplements, protein, and calories to address malnutrition. Treatment also includes managing complications like fluid retention, infections, and bleeding problems. In severe cases that don't respond to medical treatment, liver transplantation may be considered, but this requires documented sobriety. Support programs and counseling are crucial for maintaining alcohol abstinence.

Question 10

How can I prevent alcoholic hepatitis?

Accepted Answer

You can prevent alcoholic hepatitis by limiting alcohol consumption to moderate levels or avoiding alcohol entirely, especially if you have risk factors for liver disease. Moderate drinking means no more than one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men. Maintain a healthy weight through balanced nutrition and regular exercise, as obesity increases liver disease risk. Get vaccinated against hepatitis A and B to protect your liver from additional damage. If you have trouble controlling your drinking, seek help from addiction specialists or support groups before liver damage occurs.

Question 11

What can I do at home for alcoholic hepatitis?

Accepted Answer

At home, the most critical step is to stop drinking alcohol completely and permanently, as continued drinking will worsen liver damage and can be fatal. Focus on eating a nutritious diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains while limiting salt if you have fluid retention. Stay well-hydrated with water and avoid medications that can harm the liver, including acetaminophen and unnecessary supplements. Get adequate rest and avoid exposure to other liver toxins like certain cleaning chemicals. However, home management should complement, not replace, professional medical treatment, so maintain regular follow-up with your healthcare provider to monitor your liver function.

Question 12

How’s this work?

Accepted Answer

Getting your blood test with us is easy, private & backed by the power of science.Long story short:
            
                In the test options, use the filters or search box to narrow your choices and find the test you want.
                If you need a hand navigating through options, text our super friendly support team at 754-799-7833, and we'll provide tailored suggestions to help you find the ideal test.
                Once your order is placed, we’ll create your doctor’s lab order remotely, without any need for you to make a trip to a doctor in person or to talk to the doctor. Expect to receive your doctor’s lab order right in your inbox. It will also be in your patient portal if you need to find it later. We’ll also include instructions regarding fasting and other requirements for your test. Your patient portal will be auto-created hassle-free during checkout.
                If this is your first time ordering, you'll be prompted to create a password for instant login access to your patient portal. It's a quick way to conveniently access your orders and results whenever you want.
                When you’re ready, visit one of our 4,000 locations. Just bring your ID – no printing or faxing of your lab order is needed, as your order and details will already be in the lab system.
                Note that most lab locations don’t accept walk-ins, so it’s best to book an appointment in advance. Don’t worry – we’ll provide detailed instructions along the way.
                You’ll get your results via email & SMS and dive into understanding your body better. Yup, that easy!
                If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com and we'll gladly help you.

Question 13

How do I know which test to get?

Accepted Answer

In the test options, find the test you want.
            If you’re not sure which test to get, we can lend a hand in finding the right option.
            Just text or call us at 754-799-7833, email us at support@privatemdlabs.com, and we'll gladly help you. We've got your back and reply quickly.

Question 14

When will my lab results be available?

Accepted Answer

Most test results will be available within 1–3 business days. Once they're ready, we'll send an email and text message to let you know.
            After your blood draw, just hang tight and don't worry – we'll keep you updated and in the loop!
            If you have any further questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com, and we'll gladly help you.

Question 15

Is it possible to make changes to my lab order if I made a mistake with the name, date of birth, or any other details?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! We totally understand that errors can happen. No worries, we're here to help you.
            Just reach out to us via text at 754-799-7833 or shoot us an email at
            support@privatemdlabs.com. Remember to include your order number and let us know the correct information you’d like to update.
            Our awesome team will jump right in and make sure everything is sorted out and accurate for you.
            There are no changes necessary if your address is wrong on the requisition though. We don’t mail anything out.
            Our lab requires an address to be listed to generate an order.

Question 16

Do you accept health insurance?

Accepted Answer

Only HSA & FSA is accepted.
            Our services are strictly self-pay and cannot be submitted to your health insurance provider except for Health Savings Accounts or Flexible Savings Accounts.
            This policy applies to all insurance companies, including federal health insurance programs like Medicare.
            If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com.

Question 17

Can I cancel my order?

Accepted Answer

Yes.
            We get it – sometimes your needs change.
            As long as your samples haven’t been collected yet, we’re happy to help you cancel your order.
            If you have any further questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com.
            You can read more about our cancellation policy here.

Question 18

How can I find a lab location near me?

Accepted Answer

During the ordering process, you’ll be able to select a specific lab near you, with no strings attached!
            You can switch it up later easily and visit any of our authorized locations as long as it’s the same lab company you selected your test for (Quest Diagnostics or Labcorp).
            Before you proceed with your order, feel free to browse through all our lab locations here. This will give you the peace of mind of knowing that there's a lab nearby your home, office or your favorite gym.
            If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com and we'll gladly help you.

Alcoholic Hepatitis Blood Test

What is Alcoholic Hepatitis?

What causes alcoholic hepatitis?

What is the best test for alcoholic hepatitis?

When should I get tested for alcoholic hepatitis?

References

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