Carbohydrate Deficient Transferrin, Adult, Serum
Use
This test is useful for indicating chronic alcohol abuse. Chronic alcoholism causes a transient change in the glycosylation pattern of transferrin where the relative amounts of disialo- and asialotransferrin are increased over the amount of normally glycosylated tetrasialotransferrin. Carbohydrate deficient transferrin (CDT) typically normalizes within several weeks of abstinence from alcohol use. However, there are other causes of abnormal CDT levels, including congenital disorders of glycosylation and other genetic and nongenetic liver diseases.
Special Instructions
Patient's age is required. If the patient is younger than 21 years, the reason for testing is required. This test is not appropriate for screening congenital disorders of glycosylation. If testing for congenital disorders of glycosylation is needed, order CDG / Carbohydrate Deficient Transferrin for Congenital Disorders of Glycosylation, Serum.
Limitations
This assay has not been fully validated for investigating alcoholism. Carbohydrate deficient transferrin (CDT) testing alone is not recommended for general screening of alcoholism. Analysis of more than one biomarker is recommended to avoid misinterpretation of results. The abnormal transferrin isoform pattern in chronic alcoholism is similar to patterns observed in congenital disorders of glycosylation (CDG). Other conditions such as hereditary fructose intolerance, galactosemia, and liver disease may also increase CDT levels. Preanalytical variables such as bacterial contamination can cause falsely elevated CDT values. Several factors like ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, and chronic illness can cause variability in CDT analysis.
New York Approved
Methodology
Mass Spectrometry (Affinity Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (MS))
Biomarkers
LOINC Codes
- 53803-3
- 35469-6
- 59462-2
Result Turnaround Time
3-9 days
Related Documents
For more information, please review the documents below
Specimen
Serum
Volume
0.1 mL
Minimum Volume
0.05 mL
Container
Serum gel; Red top acceptable, Plastic vial submission
Collection Instructions
Centrifuge and aliquot serum into a plastic vial.
Stability Requirements
| Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
| Room Temperature | 7 days |
| Refrigerated | 28 days |
| Frozen | 45 days |