Substance use: alcohol biomarkers: practice question

A Psychiatry question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Psychiatry · Substance use: alcohol biomarkers

Sample item

Which laboratory marker is most specific for recent heavy alcohol consumption (more than 60 g per day for over a week)?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. Carbohydrate-deficient transferrin

Carbohydrate-deficient transferrin rises after sustained heavy drinking and is more specific than GGT or MCV, which also rise in liver disease or B12 and folate deficiency. A GGT elevation with raised MCV is commonly used as a combined screen.

Option by option

  • A. Serum creatinine

    Creatinine reflects renal function.

  • B. Serum amylase

    Amylase reflects pancreatic injury and is not specific.

  • C. Carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (correct)

    Correct. CDT is the most specific biomarker.

  • D. Serum ferritin

    Ferritin is a nonspecific acute phase and iron marker.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Psychiatry question

What is the answer to this Psychiatry question?

The best answer is C, Carbohydrate-deficient transferrin. Carbohydrate-deficient transferrin rises after sustained heavy drinking and is more specific than GGT or MCV, which also rise in liver disease or B12 and folate deficiency.

Why is "Serum creatinine" not the answer?

Creatinine reflects renal function.

Why is "Serum amylase" not the answer?

Amylase reflects pancreatic injury and is not specific.

Why is "Serum ferritin" not the answer?

Ferritin is a nonspecific acute phase and iron marker.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Substance use: alcohol biomarkers in Psychiatry. A GGT elevation with raised MCV is commonly used as a combined screen.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Substance use: alcohol biomarkers?

Learn each diagnosis by its core features and its first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other Psychiatry questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.