Carbohydrate-deficient transferrin in relation to the menopausal status ofwomen

Background: Carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT) has been reported as a n excellent marker for male alcohol abuse. Little is known about its validi ty among women, in whom rather conflicting data concerning the efficiency o f the CDT marker and its biochemical mechanism have been reported. Moreover , it is not clear why the reference ranges are different for women (0 to 26 Units per liter) and men (0 to 20 Units per liter). Methods: In this population-based study, we examined the normal CDT values measured by CDTect(R) in 331 healthy female teetotalers, randomly selected from a large cohort. They were divided into four groups: premenopausal wome n (n = 76), perimenopausal women (n = 86), postmenopausal women (n = 84), a nd users of estrogens/progestagens (n = 85). Results: The mean of the CDT value in the premenopausal group (15.2 Units p er liter) was significantly higher than the mean in the postmenopausal grou p (13.6 Units per liter; p < 0.016). In pre- and perimenopausal women, high er CDT levels were associated with the last period of menstruation; for wom en menstruating less than 1 month ago versus longer ago, the mean serum CDT value was 15.4 vs. 13.0 Units per liter (p < 0.01). Conclusions: The premenopausal state seems to increase serum levels of CDT, probably due to the amount and frequency of blood loss during the menstrua l period, and should be considered when interpreting CDT values in women.