Abnormal LFTS related to alcohol (Guidelines)

TAM (Treatments and Medicines) NHS Highland
NHS Highland

Abnormal LFTS relates to Alcohol

MDCalc - AUDIT-C for alcohol use 

Driving Advice

It is the driver’s responsibility to contact the DVLA if they are persistently misusing alcohol or dependent on alcohol. This will result in revocation of their licence. At follow up, if the patient has not informed the DVLA, you should inform the DVLA if patient refuses.

Consider thiamine

Deficiency is common in alcohol drinkers due to poor diet, poor absorption secondary to gastritis and high demand for the vitamin as it is a coenzyme in alcohol metabolism. Thiamine deficiency can cause Wernicke’s encephalopathy, which, if not treated, can result in Korsakoff’s syndrome and irreversible brain damage. See:

Alcohol support services and resources


07816228492		 Inverness Community Teams (includes DARS, DTTO, Homeless Service and Dual Diagnosis Badenoch and Strathspey

01847 891224		 Caithness / Sutherland
01463 716888 Osprey House and HADASS
01463 705650 Nairn, Ardersier, Mid and East Ross
01854 612794 Wester Ross, Skye and Lochalsh
01397 709830 Lochaber

Abbreviations

Abbreviation Meaning
OTC Over the counter
USS Ultrasound scan
ALP Alkaline phosphatase
GGT Gamma-glutamyl transferas
INR International normalized ratio
RUQ Right upper quadrant
HPB Hepatico-pancreatico-biliary
AST Aspartate aminotransferase
AMA Anti-Mitochondrial Antibody 
ASMA Anti-smooth muscle antibody
BMI Body mass index
LFT Liver function test
ANA Antinuclear antibody
BP Blood Pressure
PCR Polymerase chain reaction
MASLD Metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic
BBV Blood borne virus
BSG British Society for Gastroenterology
DBS Dry blood spot
NaV Hepatitis A virus
HBV Hepatitis B virus
HCV Hepatitis C virus
HBV eAg Hepatitis B virus e antigen
ALD Alcohol related liver disease

Editorial Information

Last reviewed: 20/07/2021

Next review date: 20/01/2024

Author(s): Liver guideline and pathway group.

Version: 1.3

Approved By: TAM subgroup of the ADTC

Reviewer name(s): Dr A Broad, Consultant Gastroenterologist and Liver nurse specialist.

Document Id: TAM667