CDT Test for Alcohol Abuse
The CDT Test for Alcohol Abuse, which stands for Carbohydrate Deficient Transferrin test, is a blood test used to detect long-term heavy drinking. It measures the amount of carbohydrate-deficient transferrin in the blood. Transferrin is a protein that carries iron in the body. When a person drinks a lot of alcohol over time, the structure of transferrin changes, causing an increase in carbohydrate-deficient transferrin.
This makes the CDT Test for Alcohol Abuse a reliable way to find out if someone has been drinking heavily for several weeks. When compared to other tests for alcohol use, the CDT test is more specific and sensitive.
It helps doctors monitor alcohol abuse, support recovery efforts, and make decisions about fitness to drive or work. CDT Test for Alcohol Abuse is also used in legal cases, such as child custody disputes, to check if a parent has been drinking heavily.
Indication of the Test
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Fitness to Drive: Authorities may require the CDT test to confirm that a person is not drinking heavily before issuing or renewing a driver’s license.
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Child Custody Cases: Courts may request the CDT test to see if a parent has been drinking excessively.
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Recovery Monitoring: Doctors use the test to track sobriety in people recovering from alcohol misuse and to detect early signs of relapse.
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Workplace Safety: Some jobs require testing to ensure employees are not drinking heavily.
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Medical Evaluation: Doctors may order the test when they suspect alcohol abuse is causing health problems.
Patient Preparation
No special preparation is needed before CDT Test for Alcohol Abuse. You can eat and drink normally. The blood sample is collected quickly and safely by a healthcare professional.
How the test Works
A blood sample is taken from a vein, usually in the arm. The laboratory measures the percentage of carbohydrate-deficient transferrin compared to total transferrin in the blood. Heavy drinking for at least two weeks causes this percentage to rise. After stopping drinking, CDT levels usually return to normal within two to four weeks.
Interpretation of the results
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Normal or Low CDT: Means no heavy drinking in the past few weeks.
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High CDT: Suggests heavy alcohol use during the last two to four weeks.
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Normal Range: CDT levels below about 2.6% are considered normal. Levels above this suggest heavy drinking.
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Very High Levels: In cases of extreme alcohol abuse, CDT can reach up to 10%.
Typical range of CDT Test for Alcohol Abuse
| CDT Level (% of total transferrin) | Interpretation |
|---|---|
| 0.2%–1.5% | Normal range (no recent heavy drinking) |
| > 1.5% | Elevated CDT, suggests heavy alcohol consumption (≥40–60 g/day for at least 2 weeks) |
| Up to 6.3% or higher | Indicates extreme or chronic heavy alcohol abuse |
Accuracy and Limitations
The CDT test for alcohol abuse is very good at detecting heavy drinking; however, it may result in some error. For instance, some of those who drink heavily may not show high CDT levels, which is called a false negative. Others may have high CDT levels for reasons not related to alcohol, which is called a false positive.
To improve accuracy, doctors often use the CDT test together with other tests like GGT (gamma-glutamyltransferase) or liver enzymes (AST and ALT).
Turnaround Time
Test results usually come back within 3 to 5 days after the blood sample is taken
How To Order CDT Test For Alcohol Abuse
Please click the ‘Order Test’ button and put CDT Test for Alcohol Abuse in your cart.
You are welcome to visit our laboratory in Kilimani, Nairobi.
This will initiate the process for obtaining your test.
