%CDT test FDA approved...

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Biochemical detection and monitoring of alcohol abuse and abstinence. Information from Industry Assess clinically focused product information on Medscape. Click Here for Product Infosites -- Information from Industry. Medscape Newsletters Sign Up To ReceiveMedscape Best Evidence Key journal articles ranked for newsworthiness and clinical relevance in each specialty, linked to Medline abstracts. Ann Clin Biochem. 2001; 38(Pt 6):652-64 (ISSN: 0004-5632) Sharpe PCDepartment of Clinical Biochemistry, Craigavon Area Hospital, UK. psharpe@... The merits and limitations of traditional and new markers for alcohol abuse (and abstinence) are critically examined for detection and monitoring of alcoholics, hazardous drinkers and binge drinkers. The traditional markers discussed include gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), aspartate and alanine aminotransaminases (AST, ALT) and mean corpuscular volume (MCV); new markers include mitochondrial AST, carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT), serum/urine 5-hydroxytryptophol, beta-hexosaminidase and acetaldehyde adducts. The strengths and weaknesses of several of the self-reporting screening questionnaires are also explored. No laboratory test is reliable enough on its own to support a diagnosis of alcoholism. Sensitivities and specificities vary considerably and depend on the population concerned. GGT continues to remain the test that combines greatest convenience and sensitivity: its diagnostic accuracy can be enhanced by

combination with other traditional markers (AST, ALT, MCV). None of the newer markers offers significant advantage, although CDT seems to be better at monitoring patients for increased alcohol consumption or progress towards abstinencedoetta5555 <doetta5555@...> wrote: I received a call today saying I have another positive etg. This time it was 1800, my highest. I just don't know what I'm doing wrong. What type of test is there that would find out if your body produces etg?

any other ideas? Does anyone know of an etg expert in Sacramento? Thanks, Diane