The CDT blood test (Carbohydrate-Deficient Transferrin) is a specialized test used to detect chronic alcohol consumption. While traditional blood tests can measure alcohol levels, CDT testing provides a longer-term view of alcohol use, making it especially useful for identifying ongoing heavy drinking over weeks or months. A private CDT alcohol blood test allows for timely results to be used in important scenarios.
The CDT alcohol blood test measures the levels of carbohydrate-deficient transferrin, a specific form of the transferrin protein. Transferrin is a protein in the blood that helps transport iron. In individuals who consume large amounts of alcohol over an extended period, the structure of transferrin changes, creating carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT).
Elevated levels of CDT indicate that someone has been drinking heavily (typically defined as consuming 5 or more drinks per day) over a prolonged period, typically 1–2 weeks or more. The CDT test is one of the most reliable ways to detect chronic, heavy alcohol consumption because it focuses on long-term patterns rather than detecting alcohol that may only be present in the bloodstream for a few hours after drinking.
This private CDT blood alcohol test can be used to detect chronic and excessive alcohol consumption for approximately four weeks prior to the blood sample being collected.
Detecting chronic alcohol use is crucial for various reasons, particularly in medical, legal, or employment contexts. Here’s why the CDT test is significant:
There are many scenarios where a private CDT blood test may be useful. A timely test can prove beneficial in many cases, including:
The CDT test is specific to chronic heavy drinking and is not typically elevated by moderate or occasional alcohol consumption. This makes it an excellent tool for detecting patterns of long-term alcohol use rather than just identifying whether someone has had a drink recently.
CDT blood testing is an extremely accurate form of testing that can be used to detect heavy drinking and is second only to Phosphatidyl ethanol (PEth) testing for the insight it provides into a person’s historic alcohol consumption.
Drinking alcohol to excess over a prolonged period is often the leading cause of elevated CDT levels in the blood.
However, whereas PEth is a direct biomarker of alcohol, meaning it is only present in the body when alcohol has been consumed, CDT is an indirect biomarker. This means that in addition to excess alcohol consumption, it is possible for other factors to affect a person’s CDT levels, including liver disease, certain medications, and other underlying health conditions.
This private CDT alcohol blood test is an effective and reliable method for detecting chronic, heavy alcohol consumption. It is particularly useful in medical, legal, and recovery settings where it’s essential to monitor long-term alcohol use.
This test is usually recommended when a deeper understanding of your drinking patterns are required to provide appropriate care or support. Whether you’re in an alcohol recovery program or being evaluated for potential liver damage, the CDT test can provide valuable insights into how your alcohol consumption may be affecting your health.
Preparation for a blood test may vary depending on the type of test. Generally, you may need to fast for 8-12 hours before the test, avoid certain medications, and stay hydrated. Our team will provide specific instructions based on your test.
The turnaround time for blood test results depends on the specific test. Most standard tests are completed within 24-48 hours, while specialized tests may take a bit longer. We will inform you of the expected time frame when you have your test done.
Coverage for blood tests varies depending on your insurance plan. We recommend checking with your insurance provider to understand what tests are covered. Our team can also assist you with any insurance-related queries.
Booking a blood test appointment at Fusion Healthcare is easy. You can schedule your appointment online through our website, call us at 01582 249 449, or email us at info@fusion-radiology.com. We offer flexible appointment times to accommodate your schedule.
Cookie | Duration | Description |
---|---|---|
cookielawinfo-checkbox-advertisement | 1 year | Set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin, this cookie is used to record the user consent for the cookies in the "Advertisement" category . |
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". |
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional | 11 months | The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". |
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". |
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. |
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". |
CookieLawInfoConsent | 1 year | Records the default button state of the corresponding category & the status of CCPA. It works only in coordination with the primary cookie. |
viewed_cookie_policy | 11 months | The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data. |
Cookie | Duration | Description |
---|---|---|
_ga | session | The _ga cookie, installed by Google Analytics, calculates visitor, session and campaign data and also keeps track of site usage for the site's analytics report. The cookie stores information anonymously and assigns a randomly generated number to recognize unique visitors. |
_ga_1WR1Z9MM9V | session | This cookie is installed by Google Analytics. |