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How Sensitive And Reliable Are Mcv And Ggt Blood Tests In Monitoring Alcohol Abstinence And Relapse?

Concerned that a family member who has been abstinent for 7 months had a relapse 1 week ago. Doctor has been monitoring mcv and ggt as markers for compliance. One month ago, the mcv and ggt levels were normal, so would they be elevated if this family member did relapse over a 2 day period 8 days ago? I found a 26 oz. Bottle of whisky that was approximately 3/4 empty. Help!

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    In recovering alcoholics, GGT is a very sensitive measure of alcohol consumption and will almost certainly be elevated if he relapsed 1 week ago.  It may be elevated in up to 20% of recovering alcoholics who have not relapsed though, so the result may be high in a few people who have remained abstinent.

    MCV is a bit different and is more a measure of the vitamin deficiencies associated with chronic alcoholism.  I'm not sure that this would be high if he just relapsed 1 week ago.
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    Dallasbme  

    answered 2 years ago

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