The list of diagnostic tests should include a blood test.In order to achieve the most accurate results, the influence of many external factors must be excluded.In particular, we will talk about alcohol.We always ask the patient not to drink alcohol before the tests in the previous 2 days.
But does alcohol actually affect blood tests?Of course yes, and as follows:
- reduces the number of red blood cells and hemoglobin;
- reduces the amount of urea;
- reduces lactate and glucose levels;
- increases the level of triacylglycerols.
Ethanol makes the blood viscous and promotes the formation of blood clots.An excess of hemoglobin and red blood cells can be confused with the symptoms of megaloblastic anemia.
Alcohol has the greatest effect on blood tests of the biochemical spectrum.Low uric acid can lead to false conclusions as it is characteristic of poor circulation.A high concentration of triacylglycerols is characteristic of ischemic heart disease and hepatitis of viral etiology.In order to avoid such mistakes, inform your doctor in advance about the alcohol you have consumed (if this happens).
In addition to distorting the blood parameters themselves, ethanol sometimes damages laboratory equipment.So, when it interacts with the reactants, the latter do not react to glucose.Enzyme tests will also be false if even a small amount of ethyl alcohol is present in the blood.
How does alcohol affect the result?
In addition to alcohol, the results of the blood test are negatively affected by smoking and certain harmful foods.But the last factor is the most significant to rule out.Alcohol tests are pointless as they are not accurate.
General analysis
How blood parameters are distorted under the influence of ethanol:
- cholesterol level increases;
- red blood cells are destroyed;
- hemoglobin decreases.
If you drink at least a little alcohol before the general blood test, the number of red blood cells - these are red blood cells containing hemoglobin - is guaranteed to decrease.They are involved 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 do not repel each other.As a result, their number decreases and, as a result, the level of hemoglobin decreases.Against this background, thrombosis occurs and microcirculation slows down.
As the blood thickens and fills with flaky formations under the influence of alcohol, its flow through the capillaries and blood vessels is obstructed.This not only prevents accurate research, but also endangers human health.If the alcohol was consumed less than 10-12 hours before the tests, then the only thing that will show is the poisoning of the body with ethanol.
Biochemical analysis
Most of all, ethanol distorts the results of biochemical blood tests, which are intended to give a more detailed clinical picture.With its help, they find out which components are missing and which ones are too much and need to be reduced.
How alcohol affects these types of tests:
- lowers glucose levels;
- increases the amount of uric acid;
- disrupts the oxygen supply of cells;
- worsens a person's general condition.
A low blood sugar level can indicate the development of diabetes, and an excessive amount of urea is the result of drinking alcoholic beverages.But the latter indicator can be a sign of serious circulatory disorders, as well as hemorrhagic stroke or pathology of the left ventricle.Excessive urea is also a symptom of gout or chronic arthritis.This is why it is so important not to drink alcohol before taking the tests.
Non-observance of the preparation rules before blood sampling, i.e. the use of any alcohol-containing product, often gives inaccurate results.You may have too much triacylglycerol.These neutral fatty compounds are important for identifying many pathologies in the body: ischemia, atherosclerosis, viral hepatitis, blood clots in the blood vessels of the brain.
Doctors do not use products containing alcohol even during laboratory tests.Although there is an opinion that the infection can be detected more effectively with their help.But since even a small amount of ethanol significantly distorts the data, this possibility is excluded.
It is true that, in practice, patients often hide from doctors that they have drunk alcohol in the past.Such behavior leads to an unreliable diagnosis, as a result of which serious pathologies may not be visible and the moment may be missed.In addition, the hungover person who comes to donate blood feels sick.Possible:
- faint;
- dizziness;
- migraine;
- nausea and vomiting.
When donating blood in a sober state, the person's condition does not deteriorate, as the losses are insignificant.But after drinking alcohol, metabolic processes and cerebral circulation are disrupted.The patient then experiences a lack of oxygen to the brain, causing loss of consciousness and dizziness.Even after donating blood, a person suffers from a headache for a long time.
In addition, in a hangover state, the olfactory reflexes are particularly sensitive to various specific odors.And against the background of indigestion, even the smell of bleach or alcohol in the doctor's office can cause a gag reflex.
Blood test for sugar
In case of suspicion of metabolic disorders, a blood sugar level test is prescribed.The collection is done by pricking the finger.And the alcohol consumed the previous day thickens the blood, which makes it difficult to draw.
Ethanol is known to have adverse effects on liver function.Even reagents and laboratory equipment used during work react to it and give incorrect results.Thus, when examining blood containing the breakdown products of alcohol, conflicting indicators are possible: reduced or increased glucose values.
One gram of ethyl alcohol can add 6-7 kcal.They are converted into sugar with the help of liver enzymes.Therefore, its level rises sharply.But a decrease in glucose is also possible.For just a few hours a day, its content is stabilized by carbohydrates from the digestive system.The rest of the time, the liver actively synthesizes glucose, using strategic reserves.But alcohol blocks this process, causing a drop in glucose levels.
Only 2 days after consuming alcoholic beverages, glucose starts to be produced as before.
This indicator is also evidence of possible diabetes, but the doctor believes that this is a consequence of the effect of ethanol.As a result, you may lose time if you do not start treatment on time.
When is it okay to drink?
Any alcoholic drink, even beer, affects the results of almost all types of tests.In particular, it is forbidden to drink alcohol before the 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 all processes that have a significant impact on the body.
During ELISA tests (for HIV, hepatitis and other sexually transmitted infections), you must refrain from drinking alcohol for at least 3 days, and in individual cases for up to 7 days.Otherwise, the accuracy of the results is not guaranteed.If the doctor determines that the patient does not follow this rule, the procedure is postponed until 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 alcoholic products, fatty foods should be excluded from the diet, and smoking and nervousness should be reduced.Under their influence, the level of hormones in the blood rises.They make it difficult to recognize viruses.Incorrect data can mislead the doctor and misdiagnose any serious pathology (for example, tumor, hepatitis).
There is no ban on alcohol consumption to determine the degree of intoxication immediately before the blood test of the drivers.This type of diagnosis comes without warning.In all other cases, you should only drink clean water, and then in small quantities.
Thus, ethanol greatly affects the accuracy of blood test results, and they differ significantly from normal results.This is influenced by the amount of ethanol decomposition products, the type of procedure and the accuracy of its execution.Misdiagnosis leads to incorrect diagnosis and consequently unnecessary or delayed treatment.