What it means
When liver cells are damaged, ALT leaks into the blood and the level rises. It is part of the liver function testsLIV-er FUNK-shun TESTSA group of blood tests that check how well the liver is working and whether its cells are damaged.Full entry , usually along with aspartate aminotransferaseuh-SPAR-tayt uh-mee-noh-TRANS-fer-aysAn enzyme found mainly in the liver, heart and muscles, measured in the blood as part of liver function tests.Full entry (AST). High levels are seen in hepatitis, fatty liver, alcohol use and liver injury from drugs such as acetaminophen or statins.
For the nurse
Check ALT before and during treatment with drugs that can harm the liver, and report a rising level along with yellowing of the skin, dark urine or pain in the upper right abdomen.
At a glance
| Normal range | About 7–55 units/L [about 0.12–0.92 µkat/L]; each lab sets its own range, and it is lower in women. |
|---|---|
| Abbreviations | ALT; SGPT (older name) |
| Also written | ALT, SGPT |
Related terms
hepatitis
Inflammation of the liver, most often caused by a virus.
bilirubin
A yellow pigment made when old red blood cells break down, which the liver clears into bile.
aspartate aminotransferase
An enzyme found mainly in the liver, heart and muscles, measured in the blood as part of liver function tests.
liver function tests
A group of blood tests that check how well the liver is working and whether its cells are damaged.