Alcohol Tests in Blood (CDT)

Alcohol

Blood alcohol (BAC) is the standard test following a positive breathanalyser test in roadside testing and in suspicion testing at workplace. As a forensic laboratory we measure the alcohol in compliance with the high standards of forensic toxicology so that the results can be used without restrictions in legal proceedings. We test several thousand blood samples for BAC per year.

In Germany the limit for the absolute unfitness to drive is 1.1 ‰ and the driver loses his driver´s license if the measured BAC is equal or above 1.6 ‰. We routinely test for BAC according to German forensic toxicology guidelines such that our results are legally defensible. Moreover, our team of forensic toxicologists provides oral and written expert witness for more than 25 years.

CDT

CDT or Carbohydrate Deficient Transferrin is a variant of the transferrin protein. Excessive alcohol consumption for several weeks causes an increase of the CDT concentration in the blood. Two or three weeks after reduction of alcohol intake or after abstinence the CDT value normalizes.
CDT is a good marker of recent alcohol consumption and is superior to liver values ALT, AST, GGT or the blood count value MCV. However, it can not be used to prove abstinence. This can only be achieved by measuring ethylglucuronide (EtG) as the direct metabolite of alcohol in urine, serum or hair.
In order to reach the best analytical results we measure the different CDT fractions at our laboratory with a chromatographic method (HPLC).

Further information on relevant topics

MPA Fitness to Drive

In most industrial countries if a driver loses his driving license as a result of drug or alcohol offense he has to prove abstinence for several months up to one year. The exact conditions of drug testing in urine or hair are different from country to country and depend on the individual situation.

Ethylglucuronide in Hair

The major part of ethylglucuronide (EtG) produced in the liver as a metabolite of alcohol is eliminated in urine. A small fraction is incorporated into the hair matrix. That way hair samples can be analyzed for EtG.

Ethylglucuronide in Urine

Ethylglucuronide (EtG) is produced in the liver and is a direct metabolite of the alcohol consumed. It is progressively eliminated in urine and depending on the amount of alcohol taken ethylglucuronide can be detected for 12-48 hrs. EtG in urine is a short-term marker of alcohol consumption and can be used to demonstrate abstinence during the last 1 to 2 days.

Nationwide Workplace Drug Testing

Workplace alcohol and drug testing, in form of random controls, is of increasing importance in security related sectors. Being forensically accredited, our laboratory offers and performs on-site ADM-testing (alcohol – drug – prescription medicine testing) nationwide.