HAA Testing—Why You Should Test
The hemoglobin-associated acetaldehyde (HAA) assay is a specific confirmation test that distinguishes alcohol-related from nonalcohol-related liver enzyme elevations. It may also be useful in detecting alcohol abuse, based on other findings which are indicative of excessive alcohol intake.

Acetaldehyde is a major metabolite of ethanol. Excessive alcohol intake causes acetaldehyde to be chronically present at elevated levels in the blood. Acetaldehyde at these high levels attaches to blood proteins, creating elevated HAA concentrations. HAA is measured using an EDTA-preserved whole blood specimen.

Facts

• Alcohol abuse and its consequences are the third leading cause of death in North America.
• Each year, more than 200,000 Americans succumb to alcohol-induced premature deaths.
• Cirrhosis of the liver, due predominantly to alcohol abuse, is the ninth leading cause of death in the United States.
• Half of all traffic fatalities and 66% of all violent crimes are linked to alcohol abuse.

Recommended Testing Guidelines
HAA should be ordered in cases where there is a biochemical indicator of possible alcohol abuse. Examples are an elevated aspartate aminotransferase (AST) or gamma glutamyltranferase (GGT) value, or a high HDL cholesterol value.

It may also be a useful test when other underwriting information is obtained that indicates possible alcohol abuse. Examples are drunken driving citations in an MVR, a past history of alcohol abuse, or the presence of a disease or physical condition associated with alcohol abuse.