The list of diagnostic tests necessarily includes a blood test.In order to obtain the most accurate results, it is necessary to exclude the influence of a number of third-party factors.In particular, we will talk about alcohol.The patient is always asked not to drink alcohol before taking tests in the previous 2 days.
But does alcohol really affect blood tests?Of course, yes, 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 the blood viscous and promotes the formation of clots.Elevated levels of hemoglobin and red blood cells can be confused with symptoms of megaloblastic anemia.
Alcohol has the greatest effect on blood tests of the biochemical spectrum.Due to low uric acid, incorrect conclusions can be drawn, as this is typical of poor circulation.A high concentration of triacylglycerols is characteristic of ischemic heart disease, as well as hepatitis of viral etiology.To prevent such mistakes, you should inform your doctor in advance about the alcohol you have taken (if this happens).
In addition to the fact that ethanol distorts the blood indicators themselves, it sometimes damages laboratory equipment.So when it interacts with the reactants, the latter stop reacting to glucose.Enzyme tests will also be false if there is even a small amount of ethyl alcohol in the blood.
How does alcohol affect your profit?
The results of blood tests are negatively affected by smoking and some harmful foods, in addition to alcohol.But the last factor is the most significant one to rule out.Post-alcohol tests are pointless as they are not accurate.
General analysis
How blood parameters are distorted under the influence of ethanol:
- the cholesterol level increases;
- red blood cells are destroyed;
- hemoglobin decreases.
If you drink at least a little alcohol before a general blood collection, the number of red blood cells is guaranteed to decrease - these are red blood cells containing hemoglobin.They are involved in the circulation of oxygen to all internal organs and tissues, 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 level of hemoglobin decreases.Against this background, 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 through the vascular spaces is difficult.This not only hinders accurate research, but also endangers human health.If alcohol was consumed less than 10-12 hours before the tests, then the only thing it will show is the intoxication of the body with ethanol.
Biochemical analysis
Most of all, ethanol distorts the results of biochemical blood tests, which are designed to give a more detailed clinical picture.With its help, they find out which components are missing and which are too many and should be reduced.
How alcohol affects tests of this type:
- reduces the level of glucose;
- increases uric acid;
- disrupts the supply of cells with oxygen;
- worsens the general condition of a person.
A low level of blood sugar can mean the development of diabetes mellitus, and an excessive amount of urea is a consequence of drinking alcoholic beverages.But the last indicator can be a sign of serious circulatory disorders, as well as hemorrhagic stroke or pathology of the left ventricle.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 tests.
Failure to follow the rules of preparation before taking blood tests, namely the use of any products containing alcohol, often gives inaccurate results.There may be an excess of 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 containing alcohol.Although there is an opinion that with their help it is possible to detect an infection more effectively.But since even a small amount of ethanol significantly distorts the data, this option is excluded.
It is true that, in practice, patients often hide from doctors that they previously drank alcohol.Such behavior leads to an unreliable diagnosis, as a result of which serious pathologies may not be seen and the moment may be missed.Also, a hungover person who comes to donate blood will feel sick.Possible:
- seizure;
- vertigo;
- migraine;
- nausea and vomiting.
By donating blood in a sober state, a person does not experience any deterioration in his condition, as the losses are negligible.But after drinking alcohol, metabolic processes and cerebral circulation are disturbed.Then the patient experiences a lack of oxygen in the brain, which provokes loss of consciousness and dizziness.Even after donating blood, a person will continue to experience headaches for a long time.
Also, while you are hungover, your 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 trigger a gag reflex.
Taking blood for sugar
If metabolic disorders are suspected, a blood test is prescribed.The collection is done by a puncture in the finger.And alcohol consumed the previous day thickens the blood, making it difficult to withdraw.
Ethanol is known to have a detrimental effect on liver function.Even the reagents and laboratory equipment used in the work react to it and give false results.Thus, when examining blood containing alcohol breakdown products, conflicting indicators are possible: decreased or increased glucose values.
One gram of ethyl alcohol can add up to 6-7 kcal.With the help of liver enzymes, they are converted into sugar.That is why its level rises sharply.But a drop in glucose is also possible.Only a few hours a day, its content is stabilized by carbohydrates from 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 can waste time by not starting treatment on time.
When is it good to drink?
All alcoholic beverages, even beer, affect the results of almost all types of tests.It is especially forbidden to drink alcohol before taking tests that are prescribed in anticipation of 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 the vein.This time is enough to stop all processes that have a significant impact on the body.
When performing ELISA tests (for HIV, hepatitis and other sexually transmitted infections), you must 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 the patient does not follow this rule, the procedure is postponed until the body is completely cleansed of toxins.
Drinking before alcohol testing and ignoring medical recommendations greatly complicates the diagnosis.The risk of getting false results increases.In addition to products containing alcohol, you should exclude fatty foods from your diet, and also smoke less and be nervous.Under their influence, the level of hormones in the blood jumps.They make it difficult to detect viruses.Incorrect data can mislead the doctor and he will misdiagnose any serious pathology (for example, tumor, hepatitis).
Immediately before testing the blood of drivers to determine the degree of intoxication, there are no prohibitions on the use of alcohol.This type of diagnosis is performed without warning.In all other cases, you are allowed to drink only clean water and in small quantities.
Thus, ethanol significantly affects the accuracy of blood test results and they will differ significantly from normal.This is influenced by the amount of products from the breakdown of ethanol, the type of procedure and the accuracy of its implementation.Misdiagnosis leads to incorrect diagnosis and, accordingly, unnecessary or delayed treatment.