The list of diagnostic tests must include a blood test.To obtain more accurate results, it is necessary to exclude the influence of various third-party factors.In particular, we will talk about alcohol.The patient is always asked not to drink alcoholic beverages before taking the exams in the previous 2 days.
But in reality, does alcohol affect blood tests?Of course you do, and here’s how:
- reduces the number of red blood cells and hemoglobin;
- reduces the volume of urea;
- reduces lactate and glucose levels;
- increases the level of triacylglycerols.
Ethanol makes blood viscous and promotes clot formation.Excessive levels of hemoglobin and red blood cells can be confused with symptoms of megaloblastic anemia.
Alcohol has the greatest effect on blood tests across the biochemical spectrum.Due to the low uric acid content, incorrect conclusions can be drawn, as this is typical of poor circulation.A high concentration of triacylglycerols is typical in the case of ischemic heart disease, as well as hepatitis of viral etiology.To prevent such mistakes from happening, you should inform your doctor in advance about the alcohol you have consumed (if this happens).
In addition to distorting blood parameters themselves, ethanol sometimes damages laboratory equipment.Thus, when interacting with the reactants, they stop reacting to glucose.Enzyme tests will also be false if there is at least a little ethyl alcohol in the blood.
How does alcohol affect your bottom line?
Blood test results are negatively affected by smoking and some harmful foods, in addition to alcohol.But the last factor is the most significant and must be excluded.Tests after alcohol are meaningless as they are not accurate.
General analysis
How blood parameters are distorted under the influence of ethanol:
- cholesterol levels increase;
- red blood cells are destroyed;
- hemoglobin decreases.
If you drink at least a little alcohol before a general blood test, the number of red blood cells will certainly decrease - these are red blood cells that contain hemoglobin.They participate in the circulation of oxygen to all internal organs and tissues and then back to the lungs.
And ethanol has a destructive effect on the membrane of red blood cells, as a result of which their motor activity is disturbed - they stick together because they stop repelling each other.As a result, their number decreases and, accordingly, the hemoglobin level decreases.In this context, thrombosis occurs and microcirculation slows down.
Since under the influence of alcohol the blood thickens and fills with flocculent formations, its flow through the capillaries and vascular fissures is hampered.This not only impedes accurate research, but also threatens human health.If alcohol was consumed less than 10-12 hours before the tests, the only thing that will appear is intoxication of the body with ethanol.
Biochemical analysis
Most of all, ethanol distorts the results of biochemical blood tests, which are designed to provide a more detailed clinical picture.With your help, they find out which components are missing and which are too much and need to be reduced.
How alcohol affects tests of this type:
- reduces glucose levels;
- increases uric acid;
- interrupts cellular oxygen supply;
- worsens a person's general condition.
A low blood glucose level may indicate the development of diabetes mellitus, and an excessive amount of urea is a consequence of drinking alcoholic beverages.But the last indicator may be a sign of serious circulatory disorders, as well as hemorrhagic stroke or left ventricular pathology.Excess urea is also one of the symptoms of gout or chronic arthritis.This is why it is so important not to drink alcohol before taking your exams.
Failure to comply with the preparation rules before carrying out blood tests, in particular the use of any products containing alcohol, often gives inaccurate results.There may be excess triacylglycerols.These neutral fatty compounds are important for identifying many pathologies in the body: ischemia, atherosclerosis, viral hepatitis, blood clots in the vessels of the brain.
Even during laboratory tests, doctors do not use products that contain alcohol.Although there is an opinion that with their help it is possible to detect the infection more effectively.But since even a small amount of ethanol significantly distorts the data, this option is excluded.
True, in practice, patients often hide from doctors that they have ever drunk alcohol.Such behavior leads to unreliable diagnoses, meaning serious pathologies may not be detected and the moment may be lost.Furthermore, a hungover person who comes to donate blood will not feel well.Possible:
- fainting;
- dizziness;
- migraine;
- nausea and vomiting.
When donating blood soberly, a person does not experience any deterioration in his condition, as the losses are insignificant.But after drinking alcohol, metabolic processes and cerebral circulation are disrupted.The patient then experiences oxygen deficiency in the brain, which causes loss of consciousness and dizziness.Even after donating blood, a person will continue to experience headaches for a long time.
Additionally, during a hangover, olfactory reflexes are especially sensitive to various specific odors.And in the context of indigestion, even the smell of bleach or alcohol in the doctor's office can trigger a gag reflex.
Taking blood for sugar
A blood sugar test is prescribed if metabolic disorders are suspected.Collection is done through a finger puncture.And the alcohol consumed the day before thickens the blood, making it difficult to extract.
Ethanol is known to have a detrimental effect on liver function.Even the reagents and laboratory devices used in the work react to it and give incorrect results.Thus, when examining blood containing alcohol breakdown products, contradictory indicators are possible: a decrease or increase in glucose values.
One gram of ethyl alcohol can add up to 6 to 7 kcal.With the help of liver enzymes, they are converted into sugar.That is why its level increases sharply.But a drop in glucose is also possible.Just a few hours a day, its contents are stabilized by carbohydrates in the digestive tract.The rest of the time, the liver actively synthesizes glucose, using strategic reserves.But alcohol disables this process, causing glucose levels to drop.
Just 2 days after drinking alcoholic beverages, glucose begins to be produced as before.
This indicator is also evidence of possible diabetes mellitus, but the doctor will think that this is a consequence of the influence of ethanol.As a result, you may waste time by not starting treatment on time.
When is drinking allowed?
Any drink containing alcohol, even beer, affects the results of almost all types of tests.It is especially forbidden to drink alcohol before taking tests prescribed before surgery.In some cases, small doses of alcohol are not prohibited.The doctor tells the patient in advance how much is possible.
In general, it is forbidden to drink strong drinks 1.5-2 days before taking blood from a vein.This time is enough to stop any processes that have a significant impact on the body.
When taking ELISA tests (for HIV, hepatitis and other sexually transmitted infections), it is necessary to abstain from alcohol for at least 3 days, in individual cases - up to 7. Otherwise, the accuracy of the results is not guaranteed.If the doctor finds that this rule is not followed by the patient, the procedure is postponed until the moment when the body is completely cleansed of toxins.
Drinking before the alcohol test and ignoring medical recommendations significantly complicates the diagnosis.The risk of receiving false results increases.In addition to products containing alcohol, you should exclude fatty foods from your diet, as well as smoke less and be nervous.Under its influence, the level of hormones in the blood increases.They make it difficult to detect viruses.Incorrect data can mislead the doctor and he will misdiagnose any serious pathology (e.g. tumor, hepatitis).
Just before testing drivers' blood to determine the degree of intoxication, there are no prohibitions on the use of alcohol.This type of diagnosis is made without prior warning.In all other cases, it is allowed to drink only clean water, and then in small volumes.
Thus, ethanol greatly affects the accuracy of blood test results and they will be significantly different from normal results.This is influenced by the amount of ethanol degradation products, the type of procedure and the accuracy of its implementation.False diagnosis leads to incorrect diagnosis and, consequently, unnecessary or delayed treatment.