Biochemical Markers of Alcohol Consumption

Biochemical markers of alcohol intake can be separated into two categories: direct markers of ethanol metabolism and indirect markers. The different alcohol markers have varying time windows of detection and are a useful additional tool to detect alcohol intake in alcohol-dependent clients.

Introduction

Alcohol dependence is characterized by craving, tolerance, a preoccupation with alcohol and continued drinking in spite of harmful consequences. The World Health Organization Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) is recommended for the identification of individuals that are dependent on alcohol [1]. The prevalence of alcohol use disorders (including dependence and harmful use of alcohol) is 11.1% in the UK compared to 7.5% across Europe [2]. In England, 250 000 people are believed to be moderately or severely dependent and require intensive treatment [3].

Figure 1. The metabolism and excretion of ethanol. The size of the arrow demonstrates the proportion of the ethanol consumed that is excreted via each mechanism. Over 95% is metabolized to acetaldehyde and acetic acid. Less than 0.1% is metabolized to ethyl glucuronide and ethyl sulphate.

Alcohol use is the third leading risk factor contributing to the global burden of disease after high blood pressure and tobacco smoking [4]. In 2012, 3.3 million deaths (5.9% of all global deaths) were attributable to alcohol consumption [2]. It is estimated that the UK National Health Service (NHS) spends £3.5 billion/year in costs related to alcohol and the number of alcohol-related admissions has doubled over the last 15 years [3].

Table 1. Alcohol markers: time window of detection and limitations. GGT, gamma glutamyl transferase; MCV, mean corpuscular volume; PEth, phosphatidylethanol.

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Biochemical markers of alcohol consumption

Source: Cli-Online

A Typical Day of a Biomedical Scientist in Biochemistry Lab

It’s 8 p.m. on Sunday night and I’ve just taken over from my colleague who had a busy day and was very pleased to see me!

For the next 12 hours I shall be the on-call biomedical scientist for the department of Biochemistry at St. Peter’s Hospital, Ashford performing diagnostic blood tests on urgent samples taken from those patients who are in need of urgent medical attention. I expect to receive samples from the Accident and Emergency Department (A/E), from ITU, the Special Care Baby Unit, the Maternity Unit, the children’s’ wards and from everywhere else in the hospital.

The first thing to do is to make checks on the huge automated analysers that are interfaced to the pathology computer. I’m running the quality controls now, which must produce results within strict ranges before I can analyse any patients’ blood tests. I’ll be making absolutely sure that the analysers are producing accurate results and that everything is documented.

My bleep has just gone off telling me to phone A/E about some bloods are coming down the air-chute syste, they are from a 2 year old with a rash and possible meningitis. I make my way along the corridor to the Pathology Reception, where samples are received and prepared, to look for the samples, and make a mental note that some time tonight they are quite likely to decide to take some cerebrospinal fluid for analysis from this patient.

I start work on this tiny blood sample, carefully separating the serum from the blood cells, and before too long it is on the analyser and I can dash back to pick up the rest of the samples which are now arriving in quick succession.

The bleep has been going crazy and there’s lot to do – a road traffic accident patient has been brought into A/E. They don’t know his name so have given him a special emergency ID with a special red ID number. Results are needed fast and they have also been talking to the on-call transfusion specialist. We are working together swiftly handling these urgent samples, checking them carefully, giving them a unique computer ID, entering data onto the computer which will interface with the analysers in both our departments. And then finally we are away back to our laboratories.

Name: Simon Andrews

Works at: Biochemistry department, St Peters and Ashford Hospital

Career: Graduated with a BSc degree in biomedical science from the University of East London (accredited by the IBMS).

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Biomedical Scientist's Typical Day in Biochemistry Laboratory

Source: CampusSteps

Career Path Guide: How to Become a Clinical Chemist?

If you want to become a clinical chemist, you first need to determine if this career path is a good fit for you. If the following description sounds like you, then you’re probably well suited for a career as a clinical chemist:

Those who become clinical chemists have a keen interest in contributing to the body of knowledge of medical science, as well as helping healthcare practitioners save lives and improving the quality of life of patients by helping with early detection of various diseases and health conditions.

In order to become a clinical chemist, you will also need the emotional and intellectual capacity to complete all of the necessary academic work. You will also need a high stress tolerance, as this is required for when you don’t achieve immediate results in your work.

If you want to become a clinical chemist, you should be comfortable working in a laboratory or a clinical setting, and you should be comfortable sharing your opinions and findings with others. You will also need a good amount of manual dexterity in order to accomplish many tasks in this career, such as performing tests and using specialized equipment.

Below we've outlined what you'll need to begin a career as a clinical chemist. We've also included helpful information for this career, such as job description, job duties, salary expectations, a list of possible employers and much more!

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Career Path Guide: How to Become a Clinical Chemist?

Source: AcademicInvest