Carbohydrate deficient transferrin levels in hazardous alcohol consumption.

Little information is available on the value of carbohydrate deficient transferrin (CDT) in detecting persons with hazardous alcohol consumption. In the present study isoelectric focusing (IEF) and immunofixation were used to examine the sensitivity of CDT in hazardous drinkers compared with control subjects and alcohol dependent persons. Elevated CDT levels (> 100 mg/l) were found in 62% of hazardous drinkers and 67% of alcohol dependent persons compared with only 5% of controls.