Question 1

What is Alcoholic Liver Disease?

Accepted Answer

Alcoholic liver disease is a spectrum of liver damage caused by chronic, excessive alcohol consumption over time. It ranges from fatty liver disease to alcoholic hepatitis and cirrhosis as liver cells are progressively damaged and replaced by scar tissue. The Gamma Glutamyl Transpeptidase (GGT) test is the most important test for detecting early alcoholic liver damage.

Question 2

What causes alcoholic liver disease?

Accepted Answer

Alcoholic liver disease is caused by chronic, excessive alcohol consumption that directly damages liver cells over time. When you drink alcohol, your liver breaks it down into toxic substances like acetaldehyde, which trigger inflammation and cell death. Over years of heavy drinking, this continuous damage progresses from fat accumulation in the liver (fatty liver) to inflammation and cell death (alcoholic hepatitis) and eventually to irreversible scarring (cirrhosis) where healthy liver tissue is replaced by scar tissue that cannot function properly.

Question 3

What is the best test for alcoholic liver disease?

Accepted Answer

The Gamma Glutamyl Transpeptidase (GGT) test is the most important blood test for detecting alcoholic liver disease because it measures a liver enzyme that becomes elevated early when the liver is damaged by alcohol. GGT levels rise as the liver attempts to compensate for alcohol-induced damage, making it a sensitive early marker of alcohol-related liver injury before symptoms appear. This test is particularly valuable because elevated GGT levels are strongly associated with alcohol consumption, helping healthcare providers diagnose the condition and monitor your liver health over time. Additional tests like AST, ALT, and bilirubin levels may also be ordered to assess the extent of liver damage.

Question 4

When should I get tested for alcoholic liver disease?

Accepted Answer

You should get tested if you drink heavily on a regular basis (more than 8 drinks per week for women or 15 drinks per week for men), have noticed yellowing of your skin or eyes, experience persistent fatigue or abdominal pain, or have been told by your doctor that you have elevated liver enzymes. Testing is also important if you have a history of alcohol abuse and want to check for liver damage, even if you feel fine, since early liver damage often has no symptoms. Early detection through blood testing allows for intervention that can prevent progression to more severe liver disease.

Question 5

What are the symptoms of alcoholic liver disease?

Accepted Answer

Early alcoholic liver disease often has no symptoms, but as damage progresses, you might notice fatigue, weakness, loss of appetite, nausea, and discomfort in your upper right abdomen where your liver is located. More advanced symptoms include yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice), swelling in your legs and abdomen, easy bruising or bleeding, confusion or mental fog, dark urine, and pale stools. Some people also experience itchy skin, spider-like blood vessels on the skin, and redness in the palms of their hands.

Question 6

Who is at risk for alcoholic liver disease?

Accepted Answer

People who consume excessive amounts of alcohol over many years are at highest risk, particularly those who drink more than 8 drinks per week for women or 15 drinks per week for men. Women are more susceptible to alcohol-related liver damage than men, even at lower levels of consumption, due to differences in how their bodies metabolize alcohol. Other risk factors include having a genetic predisposition to alcoholism, being obese or overweight, having hepatitis C infection, and poor nutritional status. Binge drinking patterns also significantly increase your risk even if your overall weekly consumption seems moderate.

Question 7

What happens if alcoholic liver disease is left untreated?

Accepted Answer

If alcoholic liver disease is left untreated and you continue drinking, it progresses from fatty liver to alcoholic hepatitis and eventually to cirrhosis, where permanent scarring prevents your liver from functioning properly. Advanced cirrhosis can lead to life-threatening complications including liver failure, internal bleeding from enlarged veins in the esophagus, fluid accumulation in the abdomen (ascites), kidney failure, confusion and brain dysfunction (hepatic encephalopathy), and significantly increased risk of liver cancer. Once cirrhosis develops, the damage is irreversible, and liver transplantation may be the only treatment option.

Question 8

Can alcoholic liver disease be diagnosed with a blood test?

Accepted Answer

Yes, blood tests play a crucial role in diagnosing and monitoring alcoholic liver disease, though they work best when combined with your medical history and physical examination. The GGT test is particularly sensitive for detecting alcohol-related liver damage, while other liver enzyme tests like AST, ALT, bilirubin, and albumin levels help assess the extent and severity of liver injury. Blood tests can reveal liver damage before symptoms appear, allowing for early intervention. However, imaging tests like ultrasound or FibroScan and sometimes liver biopsy may be needed to determine the exact stage of disease and rule out other causes of liver damage.

Question 9

How is alcoholic liver disease treated?

Accepted Answer

The most important treatment for alcoholic liver disease is complete and permanent abstinence from alcohol, which can allow early-stage liver damage to heal and prevent further progression. Your doctor may recommend nutritional support including vitamin supplements (especially thiamine, folate, and vitamin B12), medications to reduce inflammation and manage complications, and treatment for alcohol use disorder including counseling, support groups, and medications to reduce cravings. For advanced cirrhosis, treatments focus on managing complications like fluid retention, bleeding, and infections. In severe cases where the liver has failed, liver transplantation may be the only option, though most transplant programs require documented sobriety for at least six months.

Question 10

How can I prevent alcoholic liver disease?

Accepted Answer

The most effective way to prevent alcoholic liver disease is to drink alcohol in moderation or not at all, which means no more than one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men. If you already have early liver damage, complete abstinence from alcohol is essential to prevent progression. Maintaining a healthy weight, eating a nutritious diet rich in fruits and vegetables, avoiding medications that can stress the liver, and getting vaccinated against hepatitis A and B also help protect your liver. Regular check-ups with blood tests can catch early liver damage before it becomes serious, especially if you have risk factors.

Question 11

What can I do at home for alcoholic liver disease?

Accepted Answer

The single most important thing you can do at home is to stop drinking alcohol completely and permanently, as continued drinking will cause progressive liver damage regardless of other measures. Eat a balanced, nutritious diet with adequate protein to support liver regeneration, and consider supplements like milk thistle, vitamin E, and B vitamins under your doctor's guidance. Stay hydrated, avoid medications that can harm the liver (like acetaminophen in high doses), and maintain a healthy weight through gentle exercise. Join a support group like Alcoholics Anonymous to help maintain sobriety, and monitor yourself for warning signs like yellowing skin, abdominal swelling, or confusion that require immediate medical attention.

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 Liver Disease Blood Test

What is Alcoholic Liver Disease?

What causes alcoholic liver disease?

What is the best test for alcoholic liver disease?

When should I get tested for alcoholic liver disease?

References

Here’s why 1,000,000+ customers chose us for affordable hassle-free private blood testing.

Us vs. Them

1,000,000+ blood tests later, here's what our customers say

Ask Me Anything