Carbohydrate deficient transferrin in doping and non-doping sportsmen

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 cost-financially effective for serving as a pre-screening tool in doping tests. Orv. Hetil., 2012, 153, 514–517.