Alcohol and the liver: 3. Laboratory aids in the detection of alcohol abuse

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Abstract
Alcohol abuse is often difficult to diagnose in the early stages in the absence of physical manifestations and where patients are unaware of their alcohol dependence. Many minimise the amount they consume and alcoholism frequently remains undetected even among patients admitted to hospital. This article reviews the metabolic basis of the common biochemical derangements due to alcohol, with particular emphasis on relevant laboratory tests which are available to practising physicians.