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Carbohydrate Deficient Transferrin Test

Price
TBA

Turnaround

12 hours

Appointment

50 minutes

cdt test vial

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Care Quality Commission
Primary Care & Diagnostics Finalist Award

pound iconPrice: TBA

Turnaround: 12 hours

Appointment: 50 minutes

CDT Test

A Carbohydrate Deficient Transferrin (CDT) blood test offers a reliable way to test for long-term alcohol use. This test is often used to support treatment or monitor people who are working to manage alcohol dependence.

How CDT Relates To Alcohol Use

Carbohydrate Deficient Transferrin is a type of protein found in your blood that changes when you drink alcohol regularly over time.

Normally, Transferrin helps carry iron in your body. However, heavy drinking can cause changes in this specific protein. Hence the name Carbohydrate Deficient Transferrin.

Therefore, higher levels of CDT can suggest long-term alcohol misuse.

Why Testing Is Invaluable

It is estimated that 608,416 adults (18 and over) in England had alcohol dependence from 2019 to 2020. If you are worried that alcohol may be impacting your health, this test provides a non-invasive and reliable way to detect issues early on. It can also help detect potential liver problems caused by heavy drinking and monitor your progress.

Woman doctor smiling
Woman doctor taking notes

Understanding Your Results

Normal CDT levels are typically below 1.7% of total transferrin. Higher levels can suggest heavy alcohol consumption. However, factors like liver disease or other health conditions can also impact your CDT levels.

When Is A CDT Test Needed?

A CDT test may be recommended in the following situations

  • Forensic assessments to evaluate alcohol consumption in legal or job-related situations
  • Alcohol dependency evaluations to help healthcare providers understand the severity of alcohol use issues
  • Routine health screenings as part of a check-up for those with a history of heavy drinking or at risk of alcohol misuse
  • Monitoring progress during treatment to track changes in alcohol consumption and recovery

Statistics​

Of UK liver disease cases are linked to alcohol use
0 %
Of UK alcohol-dependent adults go untreated
0 %
Of UK patients with high CDT levels have liver issues
0 %
Of UK alcohol treatment programmes use CDT monitoring
0 ù

How To Book A Blood Test?

book online or call us

Use our online booking engine or book your test by giving us a call.

Choose your test type

On the online booking engine select the “appointment type” you need.

meet with our experts

You will be seen by one of our friendly phlebotomists or trained clinicians.

Procedure

preparing for appointment

Preparing for test

Please refrain from heavy alcohol consumption in the days leading up to your test. This is because alcohol use may impact your test outcomes, potentially leading to higher CDT levels.

during the appointment

During the test

A CDT blood test is fast and relatively painless. One of our healthcare professionals will take a small sample of your blood and send it to the lab for testing. The entire blood draw process should not take more than 10 minutes.

post appointment

Results

Your results will typically be available within a few days. If your results show elevated CDT levels, your healthcare provider may recommend further testing or evaluate the potential causes. They may also suggest lifestyle modifications or other treatments based on the findings.

Why Choose Walk In Clinic
for blood testing

No
Hidden Charges

Transparent fees. The price you see is the price you pay.

No GP consultation
needed

No GP appointment requirement for blood tests

Established
since 1998

Experienced doctors & a professional team.

Strictly
confidential

Your medical records are kept private at all times.

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Book Your Blood Test Today

We offer a wide range of private blood tests in London. Same-day appointments are available 5 days a week.

Specialist Medical Team

We work with experienced consultants & healthcare professionals who have received positive feedback from our patients, and with whom we have established long-term relationships.

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How accurate is the CDT blood test for detecting alcohol abuse?
Generally, a CDT blood test is fairly accurate. However, if you have been diagnosed with liver disease, have certain genetic factors, or are pregnant, it can give a false positive. That is why it is always important to inform your doctor of your medical history and status.
Are there any factors that can affect CDT test results besides alcohol consumption?
Yes, there are. Conditions like liver disease (including cirrhosis and hepatitis), malnutrition, pregnancy, and certain medications can all impact your CDT levels. Also, some people may have genetic variations in their transferrin, which can cause their CDT levels to be higher or lower than usual.
What constitutes excessive drinking?
Binge drinking is typically classified as consuming fur or more drinks for women, or five or more drinks for men during an occasion. Heavy drinking equates to eight or more drinks for women, or fifteen or more drinks for men during a week.

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