Can Regularly Drinking Alcohol Affect DVLA Medical Testing?

Posted on Thu, 6 Mar 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 6 Mar 2014 Answered on

Thu, 27 Mar 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi I have been drinking on regular bass, 3 can of Budweiser everyday. But I stop about two weeks ago, although I had 3 can yesterday. i need to take a medical test for dvla. could you please advise me how long shoud i go with out drinking before i take the test.

Answered by Dr. Rahul Tawde (1 hour later)

Brief Answer: Stop drinking alcohol prior to 8 weeks before test Detailed Answer: Hi, As you are reporting to be a regular drinker of 3 can of Budweiser everyday, this makes you a chronic alcoholic. Drinking alcohol on regular basis will cause the levels of hepatic enzymes (AST- Aspartarte aminotransferase; ALT - Alanine aminotransferase; and GGT - Gamma-glutamyl transferase) and MCV (Increased red blood cell size) to be increased. These are all markers to be examined during a DVLA medical testing. According to driving medical standards, if trace of alcohol used within 6 to 12 months prior to testing will be confirmed, they will get your application refused: http://www.drinkdriving.org/drink_driving_information_DVLA_medical.php I suggest to stop drinking for at least 8 weeks prior to testing to make sure such biomarkers will be back to normal. However, I would also suggest to reconsider drinking Budweiser for the next 6 months prior to testing. Hope it was of help! Dr.Sejdini

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Rahul Tawde (55 minutes later)

Thank you so much for coming back to me. Since my ban from driving two years ago my alcohol consumption have go up. the more realistic amount that i have been drinking is more like 4 or 5 times a week, usually 3 cans and very rarely 6. when i was at university around 2004-2006 i would be binge drinking at the most i could handle about 6-8 pints in the weekends and occasional heavy drink season. during that time one day i noticed water in the toilet bowl blood read. so i stopped drinking and forgot all about it and started to drink in 2008 and noticed i would find blood if i drank spirit, so i stopped drinking spirit and stuck to beer. but now i am noticing clump of blood at times on my stool, and I have slight abdominal pain on my right side. could this be liver damage?

Answered by Dr. Rahul Tawde (56 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Further tests needed to determine alcoholic liver. Detailed Answer: Hi again, Thank you for following up. To determine if you have liver damage, I suggest to run further tests: - abdominal ultrasound - measuring ALT, AST, GGT in the blood - running a complete blood work, - urine analysis With regards to noticing clump of blood on your stool, it might be related to hemorrhoids caused by constipation. Once you resolve constipation problems, the hemorrhoids will be reversed too. Please bare in mind that consumption of alcohol do aggravate hemorrhoids. The pain on your right side could be related to: - alcoholic liver (perhaps hepatitis) - constipation (bowel problems) Hope it was of help! Dr.Sejdini

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Rahul Tawde (19 minutes later)

The blood in my stool is fresh blood, would that give you any indication?

Answered by Dr. Rahul Tawde (36 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Fresh blood confirms hemorrhoids... Detailed Answer: Hi, If the blood is fresh, means that is related to laceration of anus (rectum) or hemorrhoids. If you cannot check or feel hemorrhoids externally, then, they are inside your rectum and cannot be felt by fingers. I suggest to consult with a proctologist (the surgeon who is taking care of hemorrhoids) to evaluate your condition and to run the tests as mentioned earlier. Hope it was of help! Dr.Sejdini

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Rahul Tawde (8 hours later)

Thank you Dr.Sejdini, you are being very helpful. I have noticed for some time after going to the toilet, when i go to wipe, i would notice a lump and tender only at times, but it dos disappear. My grandfather also had beading from the rectum and he use to use a cream to deal with the problem.

Answered by Dr. Rahul Tawde (6 hours later)

Brief Answer: The lump you feel occasionally is "hemorrhoids"... Detailed Answer: Hi, Apart diet changes (especially when it comes to stop drinking alcohol), I still insist to evaluate your rectum and liver to understand the damages caused by alcohol. I would also recommend local cream containing lidocaine and herbal mixture after confirmation of hemorrhoids is made. I usually prescribe herbal mixture cream for long term use to my patients with hemorrhoids. Hope it was of help! Dr.Sejdini

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Rahul Tawde (6 hours later)

Thank you doctor. I am doing a private liver blood test in about a weeks time If I could I would like to have some idea about this slight constant disconcert (not pain) just in line with the pelvic girdle or slightly above on the right side of my body. Could you please elucidate me? correction from the last message, just in line of the top part of the pelvic girdle

Answered by Dr. Rahul Tawde (9 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Possible causes to top part pelvic girdle... Detailed Answer: Hi, It could be related to: - alcoholic liver damages - chronic constipation (distension of bowels) - gallbladder/pancreas problems - urinary tract infection The abdominal ultrasound together with blood work and urine analysis will determine the right diagnosis. It is great that you are doing the exams privately prior to testing. That will help you get an idea of how much damages has drinking alcohol caused to your body and how to reverse them. Once you have the results, you can forward them to me for a second opinion. Hope it was of help! Dr.Sejdini

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Rahul Tawde (18 minutes later)

Thank you doctor for your help Best wishes.

Answered by Dr. Rahul Tawde (2 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Glad to know I was of help.... Detailed Answer: You're most welcomed! Happy to be assisting you! Dr.Sejdini

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D