Which of the following indicators is associated with alcohol dependency?

Carbohydrate Deficient Transferrin (CDT) is a specific biomarker that has been identified as closely linked to alcohol dependency. When an individual consumes significant amounts of alcohol, changes occur in the body’s carbohydrate metabolism, particularly affecting transferrin, a protein that transports iron. In cases of excessive alcohol consumption, the levels of CDT in the blood decrease, creating an abnormal ratio that can be used to gauge alcohol use. This makes CDT a sensitive and specific marker for identifying chronic alcohol abuse, as it is less likely to be influenced by other factors compared to liver enzymes or other indicators.

In contrast, while Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), and Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) can be elevated due to liver disease and are associated with alcohol use, they are not as specific or sensitive as CDT when it comes to diagnosing alcohol dependency. These liver enzymes can also rise for various other reasons, including other forms of liver damage or conditions, which makes them less reliable for identifying alcohol dependency on their own. Thus, CDT stands out as the most pertinent clinical indicator for assessing chronic alcohol consumption in individuals.