AST and ALT return to normal more slowly than GGT.

True: AST and ALT return to normal more slowly than GGT, and recovery rates vary according to age, sex and degree of liver damage.

Macrocystosis in heavy drinkers is usually related to B12 or folate deficiency.

False: An elevated MCV in heavy drinkers commonly reflects an effect on erythropoiesis rather than a deficiency in B12 or folic acid, though the two problems can coincide.

Reduction in heavy alcohol consumption is likely to improve gout symptoms.

True: Reduction in heavy alcohol consumption is likely to improve gout symptoms.

GGT should be widely used as a screening test for heavy alcohol use.

False: GGT is a useful addition to questionnaire screening tests for alcohol but is not sufficiently sensitive or specific to be used alone as a screen for heavy drinking

GGT has been associated with increased morbidity and mortality.

True: GGT has been shown to be associated with increased morbidity and mortality especially in men.

An elevated GGT in association with regular drinking is likely to be alcohol related.

True: In a patient drinking heavily, it is likely that an elevated GGT reflects alcohol use. It is still important to exclude other causes of abnormal liver tests.

Improvement in GGT levels should be evident within a week of reduction in heavy drinking.

False: GGT levels are likely to take a month to return to normal levels.

Alcohol screening questions are more likely to detect heavy drinking and alcohol problems than liver function tests.

True: Screening questions have been shown to be more sensitive and more specific than blood tests for detecting alcohol problems and heavy drinking.

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