Carbohydrate-deficient transferrin: a marker of alcohol abuse.

Serum carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT) measurement is valuable for the identification of chronic excess alcohol consumption. CDT is increased in serum in approximately 50% of those classed as heavy drinkers and 70-80% of those defined as alcoholics. With abstinence, the serum CDT concentration reverts towards normal within approximately 2 weeks. Specificity for alcohol abuse ranges from 80 to 95% in the general population and from 70 to 80% in liver clinic patients.