Alanine Aminotransferase Screenings

What People Need to Know about the ALT Test

May 10, 2009 Naheed Ali

An alanine aminotransferase (ALT) screening calculates the level of aminotransferase, an enzyme, in the bloodstream.

ALT is contained primarily inside the liver, but also in lesser quantities in the kidneys, muscles, and pancreas. ALT at one time was referred to as blood serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT).

ALT is valuated to check if the liver is impaired or unhealthy. Decreased amounts of ALT are generally contained in the bloodstream. However once the liver has been injured or diseased, it brings out ALT into the blood, which causes ALT amounts to rise. The majority of increases in ALT amounts are created by liver-related injury.

The ALT procedure is often completed along with other screenings that look for liver impairment, like aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alkaline phosphatase, and bilirubin. Both AST and ALT amounts are reliable screenings for liver injury.

Why Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) Tests are Performed

The alanine aminotransferase (ALT) procedure is completed to:

Discover liver illness, particularly cirrhosis of the liver and hepatitis produced by alcoholism, medications, or viruses.
To find out if jaundice was made by a blood disease or liver problem.
Keep track of the consequences of cholesterol-lowering drugs and other medications that can harm the liver.

How to Prepare for the Alanine Amino Transferase Test

Keep from any strenuous physical exertion just prior to getting an ALT screening.

Notify the doctor if you're using any drugs. A lot of drugs may interact with test results. The physician could instruct you to cease taking specific medications for a few days prior to getting an ALT test.

Certain herbs and natural items (like echinacea and valerian) also may affect ALT results. Speak with the doctor regarding any concerns you have about the need for the procedure, the risks, how it may be completed, or what the final results could imply.

As the Alanine Aminotransferase Test is Carried Out

The health care provider taking a sample of the blood for the ALT screening may:

Wrap a rubber band on the upper arm to block the flow of blood. This causes the veins beneath the elastic band to get larger so it is easier to put a needle in the vein.
Wipe the needle region with alcohol solvent.

The person will then place pressure on the region and give you a bandage.

Results of the Alanine Aminotransferase Test

Having an excessive amount of of alanine aminotransferase, meaning approximately ten times the normal amount, can indicate acute hepatitis.

In a patient suffering from acute hepatitis, the ALT levels normally stay elevated for approximately 30-60 days. However, ALT levels can take up to 90-180 to return to normal.