Final answer:
An AST/ALT ratio greater than 2 may indicate alcohol abuse as part of liver function assessment, with GGT levels also providing further diagnostic information.
Step-by-step explanation:
An AST/ALT ratio greater than 2 may indicate alcohol abuse, or ETOH abuse, as part of a broader assessment of liver function. Transaminase levels, which include AST (aspartyl transaminase) and ALT (alanine transaminase), play a significant role in identifying liver damage. The ALT enzyme is more specific to the liver and significantly rises in acute liver damage, while AST is also present in red cells, as well as cardiac and skeletal muscles, making it less specific to liver injury. AST and ALT values can both be elevated in cases of liver damage, but the AST/ALT ratio is particularly informative. A ratio greater than 2 is suggestive of alcoholic liver disease, especially in the context of elevated gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), which also rises in alcohol toxicity. However, this ratio is not exclusively indicative of alcohol abuse and should be interpreted in the context of a full clinical assessment.