white43
Member
Individual Test
I am male, 41. Largely sedentary, clinically obese. Previous history of alcohol abuse and recent consumption of alcohol in the range of 22-24 UK alcohol units a day (179g), about six nights a week.
I have diabetes type 2, but diet controlled. Suffer from gout, but controlled by gout medication (Allopurinol). I smoke a couple of rollups a day, but will attempt to stop during this period because smoking may raise CDT levels.(see below)
I had been led to believe that CDT would take 2-4 weeks to correct itself, but further reading(on this forum) revealed contradictory evidence with other researchers claiming 12 weeks was necessary dependent on amount drank and period. I decided to try to give myself as long as possible in abstinence and have decided to purchase private CDT tests to give some guidance to myself and hopefully others.
I take the following supplements: Mega dose vitamins, Magnesium, Taurine, Milk Thistle, Zinc, Omega 3 and an iron supplement to avoid any iron deficiency that may cause CDT levels to be elevated. (See below)
Conflicting arguments
Different independent studies have indicated a half life of CDT being anywhere between 7 and 17 days; this has resulted in some studies claiming that CDT levels return to normal 2 to 4 weeks and others indicating a longer time of 1-2 months. Some speculate it could take as long as 12 weeks or 3 months to return to normal.
Some studies indicate binge drinking once a week will can elevate CDT levels. Others indicate not. Likewise, it has been argued that smoking can elevate CDT levels.
Several studies have indicated that iron can play a role in CDT levels. Low levels of iron can raise CDT levels, conversely high levels can cause a low level reading.
Obesity and high cholesterol has been argued to produce lower level CDT readings as it appears to reduce the sensitivity of the test. Medications may also reduce CDT levels. Women who abuse alcohol may have higher CDT levels, but the test appears to be more accurate in males.
20/02/2016
I received application form from DVLA, exactly three months to the end of my ban.
At this stage, I was still drinking regularly (at levels indicated above) and began abstinence from this date. Decided to hold off submitting application for 4 weeks, to gain a month’s abstinence and test CDT levels before and after this. Based on the result of the 2[SUP]nd[/SUP] test, I will determine hopefully in what part of the DVLA six week window I would book an appointment for the DVLA test for.
23/02/2016
First blood test submitted to find a baseline CDT level. Takes 5 working days (Medichecks)
RESULT: 0.9% 29/02/2016*
21/03/2016
Second blood test submitted to see a result after 4 weeks.
RESULT:
* So I wasn't expecting this result merely days after I was consuming large amounts of alcohol. If this result is correct, some factors that may influence it are potentially, being obese, having high cholesterol(this makes the test . Unknown factors - supplementation, see above. I have no idea if this is influencing the result. I'd get a test done with someone else, but it's kinda pricey! I didn't start taking iron until the day of the test.
Of course, the test could be completely wrong!
I am male, 41. Largely sedentary, clinically obese. Previous history of alcohol abuse and recent consumption of alcohol in the range of 22-24 UK alcohol units a day (179g), about six nights a week.
I have diabetes type 2, but diet controlled. Suffer from gout, but controlled by gout medication (Allopurinol). I smoke a couple of rollups a day, but will attempt to stop during this period because smoking may raise CDT levels.(see below)
I had been led to believe that CDT would take 2-4 weeks to correct itself, but further reading(on this forum) revealed contradictory evidence with other researchers claiming 12 weeks was necessary dependent on amount drank and period. I decided to try to give myself as long as possible in abstinence and have decided to purchase private CDT tests to give some guidance to myself and hopefully others.
I take the following supplements: Mega dose vitamins, Magnesium, Taurine, Milk Thistle, Zinc, Omega 3 and an iron supplement to avoid any iron deficiency that may cause CDT levels to be elevated. (See below)
Conflicting arguments
Different independent studies have indicated a half life of CDT being anywhere between 7 and 17 days; this has resulted in some studies claiming that CDT levels return to normal 2 to 4 weeks and others indicating a longer time of 1-2 months. Some speculate it could take as long as 12 weeks or 3 months to return to normal.
Some studies indicate binge drinking once a week will can elevate CDT levels. Others indicate not. Likewise, it has been argued that smoking can elevate CDT levels.
Several studies have indicated that iron can play a role in CDT levels. Low levels of iron can raise CDT levels, conversely high levels can cause a low level reading.
Obesity and high cholesterol has been argued to produce lower level CDT readings as it appears to reduce the sensitivity of the test. Medications may also reduce CDT levels. Women who abuse alcohol may have higher CDT levels, but the test appears to be more accurate in males.
20/02/2016
I received application form from DVLA, exactly three months to the end of my ban.
At this stage, I was still drinking regularly (at levels indicated above) and began abstinence from this date. Decided to hold off submitting application for 4 weeks, to gain a month’s abstinence and test CDT levels before and after this. Based on the result of the 2[SUP]nd[/SUP] test, I will determine hopefully in what part of the DVLA six week window I would book an appointment for the DVLA test for.
23/02/2016
First blood test submitted to find a baseline CDT level. Takes 5 working days (Medichecks)
RESULT: 0.9% 29/02/2016*
21/03/2016
Second blood test submitted to see a result after 4 weeks.
RESULT:
* So I wasn't expecting this result merely days after I was consuming large amounts of alcohol. If this result is correct, some factors that may influence it are potentially, being obese, having high cholesterol(this makes the test . Unknown factors - supplementation, see above. I have no idea if this is influencing the result. I'd get a test done with someone else, but it's kinda pricey! I didn't start taking iron until the day of the test.
Of course, the test could be completely wrong!
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