Various types of Test to detect Alcohol Abuse

 

Hair Strand Analysis - EtG and FAEE

 

Alpha Biolaboratories can offer analysis to detect alcohol abuse involving the detection of Ethyl Glucoronide (EtG) and Fatty Acid Ethyl Esters (FAEE). By performing two different types of hair analyses it will assist in building evidence to support the diagnosis of chronic excessive alcohol consumption with a greater degree of certainty. We would also recommend a blood test to detect alcohol biomarkers in conjunction with clinical assessment to gain a greater insight into an individual's alcohol use.

Both EtG and FAEE are metabolites of alcohol and can be used as markers of alcohol intake.  These markers are incorporated into the hair via different ways; It is thought that the metabolites EtG is incorporated into the hair most likely by sweat and FAEE are incorporated into the hair by sebum (an oily substance secreted by glands in the skin).

A recent judgement (http://www.familylawweek.co.uk/site.aspx?i=ed71271) was published in which it was stated that in cases were hair alcohol analyses was being used, both EtG and FAEE metabolites should be tested. The judgement states the potential benefit of using both forms of testing due to the respective strenghts and weaknesses of each test.

At present, the recommended length of hair a EtG and FAEE test should cover is 3 centimentres (3cm) from nearest the scalp as a whole section of hair. The is consistent with the consensus on hair alcohol testing for chronic excessive alcohol consumption published by the Society of Hair Testing (SoHT) in June 2009 (http://www.soht.org/pdf/Consensus_EtG_2009.pdf)

 

 

 

 

Blood Analysis

Liver Function Test (LFT)

 

Alcohol can be toxic to the liver. A person who consumes excessive amounts of alcohol will damage their liver and may experience decreased liver function.

Liver Function Tests (LFT) measure various enzymes in the blood that are produced by the liver. An abnormal result indicates a problem with the liver. For example an elevated Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) value is a biochemical indicator of possible alcohol abuse.

Using analytical testing, it is now possible to determine a person’s alcohol consumption on a routine basis.

We test a panel of five markers including Total Bilirubin, AST, ACT, ALP and Gamma GT to ensure the result is as accurate as possible.

 

Carbohydrate Deficient Transferrin (CDT) Analysis

Carbohydrate Deficient Transferrin (CDT), is a widely recognised specific bio-marker of chronic moderate to heavy alcohol consumption.

In cases where the sample donor is abusing alcohol, you would expect to see an elevated CDT reading. In conjunction with an elevated LFT or EtG reading it would strongly suggest that the sample donor is abusing alcohol. Alternatively, if the sample donor can demonstrate a low CDT reading, that would strongly suggest that the sample donor is abstaining from alcohol abuse.