What is a normal CDT level?

The normal value of the serum CDT concentration is under 60 mg/liter; a value between 60 and 100 mg/liter indicates probable alcoholism, and a value > 100 mg/liter indicates a very high probability of alcoholism (specificity: 99%).

How long does it take for CDT to return to normal?

The half-life of CDT is usually 14–17 days; values return to normal 3 or 4 weeks after abstinence. Women may have a higher CDT than men.

What shows up on a CDT?

The Carbohydrate Deficient Transferrin (CDT) test is a sensitive biomarker that tracks heavy alcohol consumption over an extended period of time. Transferrin carries iron in the blood to the bone marrow, liver and spleen. Drinking too much alcohol increases certain types of transferrin that are carbohydrate-deficient.

Can you cheat a CDT test?

The earliest CDT tests returned false positives due to these factors, but newer tests can identify genetic variants that can cause false positives and negatives, as well as patterns caused by liver disease related to heavy drinking.

What is a good CDT test result?

Note: 95% of non-drinkers and individuals with normal drinking patternss, have a %CDT of < 1.8%….Biochemistry – Protein Laboratory.

Reference Interval	Classification
< 1.8 %	Normal result
1.8 – 2.0 %	Inconclusive
> 2.0 %	Positive result

What is a high CDT reading?

Studies have found that a %CDT of 2.6% and higher is indicative of heavy drinking. About 50 to 70% of heavy drinkers will have a %CDT greater than 2.6%.

How long do you have to stop drinking to pass a CDT?

Since %dCDT begins to “normalize” within a few days, if a person has not consumed alcohol for four days or more prior to testing, the %dCDT may have fallen sufficiently to read within the normal range.

How can I lower my CDT levels quickly?

People who do not drink, or drink moderately, will have lower CDT levels in their blood. But people who drink four or more drinks a day, at least five days a week for 2 weeks prior to the test will have CDT at significantly greater levels.

How far back can a CDT test detect alcohol?

Transferrin remains in the circulation for 7 to 14 days and CDT, therefore, can give an indication of alcohol consumption over this period of time, which gives it an advantage over blood or urine alcohol measurements which only remain elevated for 24-48 hours after alcohol consumption.

How much do you have to drink to fail a CDT test?

According to a publication available from the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism CDT levels appear to elevate after consuming 60-80 grams of alcohol per day (approximately 4 to 6 440ml cans of fosters) for a period of 2 or 3 weeks and CDT levels will normalize with a mean half-life of 2 to 4 weeks …

How do I get my CDT levels down?

What can cause elevated CDT?

Elevated levels of CDT suggest recent heavy alcohol consumption, especially if other liver-associated enzymes (such as GGT) are elevated. Although recent heavy alcohol use is most commonly associated with elevated CDT, certain rare liver disorders can also increase levels of CDT.

What is a good CDT result?

Under conditions of total abstinence it may take 1-2 months for %CDT levels to return to normal….Biochemistry – Protein Laboratory.

Reference Interval	Classification
< 1.8 %	Normal result
1.8 – 2.0 %	Inconclusive
> 2.0 %	Positive result

How long should I not drink alcohol before a DVLA medical?

DVLA Medical Examination Results If the refusal was due to alcohol misuse then a minimum period of six months controlled drinking or abstinence must be attained alongside normalisation of blood parameters.

What is a high CDT level?

The DVLA use a traffic light system in regards to CDT levels when deciding whether to issue a driving licence to a high risk offender. High risk offenders whose CDT levels are: 2.1% CDT or less are considered to be in the green zone and will be considered as compatible for a driving licence to be issued.

What is the CDT test for alcohol?

The CDT test gives a healthcare provider a far more reliable diagnostic tool than the traditional brief alcohol screening test, which relies on a patient’s honesty about their drinking habits. Patients who don’t consume alcohol excessively tend to self-report accurately, but those who do are more likely to minimize their drinking levels.

Can alcohol cause false positive CDT test?

False Positives in CDT Testing. In a small percentage of the population, heavy alcohol consumption does not raise the level of carbohydrate-deficient transferrin. Therefore, healthcare providers who suspect heavy drinking in their patients are encouraged to use other alcohol biomarker testing as well.

Do people who drink alcohol have lower CDT levels?

People who do not drink, or drink only moderately, have lower CDT levels in their blood than those who drink heavily. Some CDT tests use a cutoff of less than 1.7%.