The determination of carbohydrate deficient transferrin (CDT) concentration is primarily used in social security studies as a proof of regular alcohol consumption exceeding the amount of 60 grams per day.
Aims: The present study was performed to investigate into how carbohydrate deficient transferrin CDT values in serum are affected by the so-called food supplements and chemicals included in doping lists.
Methods: The investigation was carried out in 15 bodybuilders of two sport clubs and in 10 boxers. All sportsmen were males. In both groups serum carbohydrate deficient transferrin (CDT%), median red blood cell volume and (MCV) gamma-glutamyl-transpeptidase (GGT) values were measured.
Results: The authors found a significant difference between the two groups only in carbohydrate deficient transferrin CDT% that was the CDT% value in bodybuilders was twice as high as in boxers.
Conclusion: Not all the details of the specificity of carbohydrate deficient transferrin (CDT) concentration are known, however, the remarkably high sensitivity of the method makes it suitable and probably economically effective as a pre-screening tool in doping tests.