CDT Test for DVLA

A Carbohydrate Deficient Transferrin test, also known as a CDT test, is a type of blood alcohol test used to establish the percentage of transferrin in the bloodstream that is carbohydrate deficient.

Transferrin is a protein largely made in the liver that regulates the absorption of iron into the blood, and transports iron to the parts of the body that need it. 

Alcohol consumption can significantly impact the levels of carbohydrate deficient transferrin in the body, meaning laboratory analysis can be used to measure these levels and draw a conclusion about alcohol use over a defined period.

A blood sample is required to perform a CDT blood alcohol test. For an AlphaBiolabs CDT Test, this sample must be collected by a specially-trained AlphaBiolabs clinician either at a location of your choice, or at one of our nationwide walk-in centres.

The sample can then be analysed at our laboratory, to determine the percentage of carbohydrate deficient transferrin present in the blood.

Our CDT Test requires a blood sample to be collected by a specially-trained AlphaBiolabs clinician.

You can choose your preferred method of sample collection from the options below:

• Arrange an appointment to have your sample collected at one of our nationwide walk-in centres (+£35)
• Arrange an appointment for a professional AlphaBiolabs sample collector to visit you at an address of your choice (+£59)

Simply call our Customer Services team on 0333 600 1300 to place your order, confirm your preferred method of sample collection, and we will arrange your appointment.

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)  fitness-to-drive medical assessment is designed to assess your overall fitness-to-drive where you have past or present alcohol misuse or dependency problems.

CDT blood testing plays an important role in this process, as it is one of the most accurate and reliable forms of blood alcohol testing available, providing insight into a person’s historic alcohol consumption.

The test can be used to detect excess alcohol use for a period of approximately four weeks prior to the blood sample being collected.

If you have previously lost your driving licence due to a drink driving offence, the DVLA will assess your fitness-to-drive before allowing you to get back behind the wheel.

The fitness-to-drive medical is performed by a DVLA appointed doctor and will usually include a blood test to assess CDT levels in the blood, a brief physical examination, and a medical interview.

If you are due to take a DVLA fitness-to-drive medical, and are no longer drinking frequently or excessively, an AlphaBiolabs CDT Test for DVLA can help you monitor your CDT levels over time, and provide peace of mind for your upcoming DVLA CDT Test.

A DVLA CDT blood test assesses your fitness-to-drive by analysing a blood sample to determine the percentage of transferrin in the bloodstream that is carbohydrate deficient.

Transferrin is a protein largely made in the liver that regulates the absorption of iron into the blood, and transports iron to the parts of the body that need it.

Alcohol consumption can significantly impact the levels of carbohydrate deficient transferrin in the body, meaning the DVLA blood test for CDT can be used to measure these levels and draw a conclusion about alcohol use over a defined period.

You can find out more about the DVLA medical by visiting https://www.gov.uk/driving-disqualifications/disqualification-for-drink-driving

The only way to guarantee that you will pass a DVLA CDT test is to abstain from drinking alcohol in the four weeks prior to taking the test.

This is because people who do not drink, or drink moderately, have lower CDT levels in their blood.

However, people who consume 50-80 grams of alcohol at least five days a week for two weeks prior to a CDT test will have significantly greater levels, meaning that CDT testing is a good indicator of excess alcohol use.

CDT blood testing is an extremely reliable form of testing for chronic and excessive alcohol consumption and is second only to Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) testing for the insight it provides into a person’s historic alcohol consumption.

People who do not drink, or drink moderately, will have lower CDT levels in their blood. However, people who consume 50-80 grams of alcohol at least five days a week for two weeks prior to a CDT test will have significantly greater levels.

Where PEth is a direct biomarker of alcohol, meaning it is only present in the body when alcohol has been consumed, CDT is an indirect biomarker. This means that other factors can affect a person’s CDT levels including certain liver problems, hormones, iron deficiency and pregnancy.

Additionally, in a very small percentage of people (around 2%) it may not be possible to obtain a result. This is due to a normal genetic variant in transferrin.

Please note, a CDT blood test cannot be performed during pregnancy or within the two months after birth.

When placing your order, you will be given two options for how you would like your blood sample to be collected:

1. Arrange an appointment to have your blood sample collected at one of our nationwide walk-in centres (+£35)
2. Arrange an appointment for a professional AlphaBiolabs sample collector to visit you at an address of your choice (+£59)

Simply call our Customer Services team on 0333 600 1300 to place your order, choose your preferred method of sample collection, and we will arrange your appointment.

Your secure, confidential results will be emailed to you in 5-7 working days. *

*From receipt of your sample at our laboratory

You can call us now on 0333 600 1300 to order your CDT Test for just £99, plus the cost of your sample collection.

You have the option to have your sample collected by an AlphaBiolabs clinician at one of our nationwide walk-in centres (+£35), or for a professional AlphaBiolabs sample collector to visit you at an address of your choice (+£59).

It’s easy to order your CDT Test for DVLA online.

Alternatively you can call our Customer Services team on 0333 060 9335 or email info@alphabiolabs.com, and we will be happy to talk you through the next steps for your test.