Alcohol and Liver Tests: How Much is Too Much?

Introduction

Alcohol is known for being an agent of liver damage. It has the capacity to cause scarring to the liver and even cirrhosis. While the liver is the only organ in the human body that can self-regenerate, chronic damage from excessive alcohol can cause irreversible damage to the liver. The liver serves many important functions in the body, such as blood detoxification, metabolization of nutrients, and production of bile to help digest fats. In this article, learn about the relationship between alcohol and liver damage along with the importance of regular liver tests.

Alcohol  and Liver Health

The liver's primary role is to break down alcohol, but this process creates toxic chemicals and free radicals that trigger inflammation and destroy liver cells. Excessive consumption of alcohol can make a person vulnerable to alcohol-associated liver disease. This condition begins with fatty liver disease, followed by alcoholic hepatitis (inflammation), and ultimately leads to cirrhosis. While fatty liver is often reversible, during the stage of cirrhosis, the damage to the liver is irreversible. The more alcohol consumed and the longer the period of heavy drinking, the more one is prone to the condition of cirrhosis. Furthermore, genetic factors can also raise the vulnerability to cirrhosis. Conditions such as type 2 diabetes and obesity further increase the risk for damage.

 Long-term alcohol use also increases the risk of certain cancers and heart disease [1]. Reducing alcohol consumption can be important in case one has liver damage. Liver tests, such as a liver panel and consulting one’s doctor, may be important in case one regularly consumes alcohol.

Safe Drinking Limits

It is often advised to consume alcohol in moderation. However, it is important to understand what can constitute as a safe drinking limit. WHO considers no amount of alcohol to be “Safe” as risk begins with the first drop, while alcohol is also classified as a dependence-producing substance and a Group 1 carcinogen [2]. However, reducing risks is possible by limiting the drinks to 1 drink in a single day and no more than 7 drinks per week for a female and for adults over the age of 65, and 2 drinks in a single day and no more than 14 drinks per week for a male. Furthermore, pregnant women should not consume any alcohol.

Individuals who drink in lower limits will be at lower risks of developing serious conditions and liver damage. Furthermore, certain individuals, such as those with some medical conditions and pregnant women, should not drink at all. As one ages, the body also fails to process alcohol easily and thus drinking should be limited for aged individuals.  Lastly, going by WHO advice, avoiding alcohol usage altogether, irrespective of whether it is light or moderate, is the most beneficial for the body.

How Does Alcohol Impact the Body?

Alcohol can have a number of long-term negative effects on the body. While it causes nausea, vomiting, high BP in the short run, it can severely impact physical health in the long run. Alcohol damage is not limited to the liver, but can negatively impact the entire physical health of a person –

• Liver: Heavy alcohol use can cause fat accumulation, inflammation (alcoholic hepatitis), and irreversible scarring or cirrhosis. Ultimately, this can lead to liver failure.
• Immune System: Alcohol usage can impair immune function.
• Cancer: Increased risk of various cancers, including liver, esophageal, and oral cancers.
• Brain and Nerves: Permanent brain damage, nerve damage, and conditions like Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.
• Heart: Alcohol can cause damage to the heart muscle, hypertension, and irregular heartbeats.
• Mental Health: Increased risk of anxiety and depression.

Liver Tests to Understand Alcohol Impact

A liver panel is important to understand the condition of one’s liver health. Liver tests, such as the liver function test (LFT) can help understand the impact of alcohol on one’s liver. As alcohol damage begins with the liver, it is important to get routine blood tests in case one consumes alcohol even on a moderate basis. The following components are included in a LFT –

• Alanine Transaminase (ALT) and Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) – These are enzymes that can leak into the blood in case of damage to the liver.
• Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) – This is an enzyme that reflects the health of the liver's bile duct system as well as bone health.
• Albumin – This is an important protein produced by the liver that maintains various body functions.
• Bilirubin – This is a type of waste product of red blood cell breakdown. This is processed and excreted by the liver, while high levels of this protein are indicative of liver dysfunction.
• Total Protein – These are indicative of the total quantity of protein in your blood stream and are mostly made by the liver.
• Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase (GGT) – This is an enzyme found in the liver.
• Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) – While this enzyme is found in most body tissues, it is in high concentrations in the liver.
• Prothrombin Time (PT) – This reflects how long it takes blood to clot, as the liver produces the clotting protein prothrombin.

Liver Tests with MedCab

MedCab Pathology services offer rapid sample collection at a time and place of your convenience. MedCab offers fast sample collection services while helping you avoid visits to the pathology labs. MedCab will provide you with timely digital reports that can be accessed easily through email or via the MedCab mobile app. You can book a single liver panel test with MedCab or book it as a part of a package deal to get an overview of your health profile –

• MedCab Full Body Checkup- Comprehensive: includes a variety of tests such as CBC Profile, Urine Profile, Lipid, KFT, LFT, Glucose Fasting, ESR, IgE Total antibody, Iron Studies, RF, Thyroid Profile Total, Vitamin, etc.

• MedCab Advance Fever Care: includes a variety of tests such as CBC Profile, Widal, Malaria, Dengue, Chikungunya, LFT (Mini), Urine Profile test and 57 other parameters.

• MedCab Dengue Fever Care: includes a variety of tests such as CBC Profile, Widal, Dengue, LFT (Mini), ESR, Urine Profile test and other 55 parameters.

• MedCab Screening Test 1: includes 8 health screening tests such as CBC, Blood Glucose, KFT, Lipid, LFT, Thyroid Profile (T3, T4, TSH), Calcium, and Complete urine examination with 63 parameters.

• MedCab Screening Test 3: includes 10 health screening tests such as CBC, Blood Glucose, KFT, Lipid, LFT, Thyroid TSH, Calcium, HbA1c, Vitamin D and Complete urine examination with 74 parameters.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is important for a consumer of alcohol to ensure they drink in safe limits. Several safe limits have been defined by international organizations. However, the WHO recommends avoiding alcohol as it is a Group 1 carcinogen. Regular alcohol can cause damage to the liver, including irreversible liver damage known as cirrhosis. Furthermore, alcohol use can also make one susceptible to heart conditions and cancer. It is important to monitor one’s health and liver condition if one is an alcohol consumer. Use MedCab’s pathology services to get blood sample collection at reasonable prices at the convenience of your home. MedCab offers rapid home sample collection services with fast and accurate results. Book today to monitor your liver health.

Download the MedCab Mobile App:  https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.medcab.consumer&hl=en_IN

Learn More About MedCab’s Pathology Services: https://medcab.in/blog-detail/medcabs-pathology-services-home-sample-collection-made-easy

References

[1] Mayo Clinic Health System, 2021, What effect does alcohol have on your health — and your liver? < https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/effects-of-alcohol-on-your-health-and-liver>

[2] WHO, 2023, No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health < https://www.who.int/europe/news/item/04-01-2023-no-level-of-alcohol-consumption-is-safe-for-our-health>