Which enzyme level is typically used to screen for heavy drinking?

The correct answer is Gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), which serves as a useful enzyme level for screening heavy drinking. GGT is an enzyme found primarily in the liver, and its levels can be significantly elevated in individuals who consume alcohol heavily. When alcohol is metabolized, it induces the production of GGT, making it a reliable marker for excessive alcohol consumption.

While enzymes like Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) can indicate liver inflammation or damage, they are not as specific to alcohol use as GGT. Carbohydrate Deficient Transferrin (CDT) is also a recognized biomarker for alcohol consumption; however, it serves as a more nuanced tool that may not be as broadly available or utilized in initial screening settings compared to GGT.

Overall, GGT is often the enzyme level of choice in clinical settings for initial assessments of heavy drinking due to its direct association with alcohol intake.