BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuAlanine transaminase (ALT) blood testSGPT; Serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase; Alanine transaminase; Alanine aminotransferaseThe alanine transaminase (ALT) blood test measures the level of the enzyme ALT in the blood.EnzymeEnzymes are complex proteins that cause a specific chemical change. For example, they can help break down the foods we eat so the body can use them....Read Article Now Book Mark Article How the Test is Performed A blood sample is needed. Blood sampleVenipuncture is the collection of blood from a vein. It is most often done for laboratory testing.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article How to Prepare for the Test No special preparation is needed. How the Test will Feel When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain. Others feel only a prick or stinging. Afterward, there may be some throbbing or a slight bruise. This soon goes away. Why the Test is Performed ALT is an enzyme found in a high level in the liver. An enzyme is a protein that causes a specific chemical change in the body.Injury to the liver results in release of ALT into the blood.This test is mainly done along with other tests (such as AST, ALP, and bilirubin) to diagnose and monitor liver disease. Normal Results The normal range is 4 to 36 U/L.Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Some labs use different measurements or may test different samples. Talk to your health care provider about the meaning of your specific test results. What Abnormal Results Mean An increased ALT level is often a sign of liver disease. Liver disease is even more likely when the levels of substances checked by other liver blood tests have also increased.Liver blood testsLiver function tests are common tests that are used to see how well the liver is working. Tests include:AlbuminAlpha-1 antitrypsinAlkaline phosphata...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article An increased ALT level may be due to any of the following:Scarring of the liver (cirrhosis) CirrhosisCirrhosis is scarring of the liver and poor liver function. It is the last stage of chronic liver disease.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Death of liver tissue Swollen and inflamed liver (hepatitis) HepatitisHepatitis is swelling and inflammation of the liver.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Too much iron in the body (hemochromatosis) HemochromatosisHemochromatosis is a condition in which there is too much iron in the body. It is also called iron overload.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Too much fat in the liver (fatty liver) Lack of blood flow to the liver (liver ischemia) Liver tumor or cancer Use of drugs that are toxic to the liver Mononucleosis ("mono") MononucleosisMononucleosis, or mono, is a viral infection that causes fever, sore throat, and swollen lymph glands, most often in the neck.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Swollen and inflamed pancreas (pancreatitis) Risks There is little risk involved with having your blood taken. Veins and arteries vary in size from one person to another and from one side of the body to the other. Taking blood from some people may be more difficult than from others.Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight, but may include:Excessive bleeding Fainting or feeling lightheaded Multiple punctures to locate veins Hematoma (blood collecting under the skin) Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)Open ReferencesReferencesDaniels L, Khalili M, Goldstein E, Bluth MH, Bowne WB, Pincus MR. Evaluation of liver function. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 24th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 22.Pratt DS. Liver chemistry and function tests. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease: Pathophysiology/Diagnosis/Management. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 73.AllVideoImagesTogBlood test - illustration Blood is drawn from a vein (venipuncture), usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. A needle is inserted into the vein, and the blood is collected in an air-tight vial or a syringe. Preparation may vary depending on the specific test.Blood testillustrationBlood test - illustration Blood is drawn from a vein (venipuncture), usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. A needle is inserted into the vein, and the blood is collected in an air-tight vial or a syringe. Preparation may vary depending on the specific test.Blood testillustration Tests for Alanine transaminase (ALT) blood test Alanine transaminase (ALT) blood testRelated Information Enzyme(Special Topic)Metabolism(Special Topic)Hepatitis(Condition)Hepatic(Special Topic)Cirrhosis(Condition)Liver cancer - hepatocellular carcinoma(Condition)Hepatitis - InDepth(In-Depth)Cirrhosis - InDepth(In-Depth) Review Date: 2/28/2023 Reviewed By: Jacob Berman, MD, MPH, Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. 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Alanine transaminase (ALT) blood testSGPT; Serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase; Alanine transaminase; Alanine aminotransferaseThe alanine transaminase (ALT) blood test measures the level of the enzyme ALT in the blood.EnzymeEnzymes are complex proteins that cause a specific chemical change. For example, they can help break down the foods we eat so the body can use them....Read Article Now Book Mark Article How the Test is Performed A blood sample is needed. Blood sampleVenipuncture is the collection of blood from a vein. It is most often done for laboratory testing.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article How to Prepare for the Test No special preparation is needed. How the Test will Feel When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain. Others feel only a prick or stinging. Afterward, there may be some throbbing or a slight bruise. This soon goes away. Why the Test is Performed ALT is an enzyme found in a high level in the liver. An enzyme is a protein that causes a specific chemical change in the body.Injury to the liver results in release of ALT into the blood.This test is mainly done along with other tests (such as AST, ALP, and bilirubin) to diagnose and monitor liver disease. Normal Results The normal range is 4 to 36 U/L.Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Some labs use different measurements or may test different samples. Talk to your health care provider about the meaning of your specific test results. What Abnormal Results Mean An increased ALT level is often a sign of liver disease. Liver disease is even more likely when the levels of substances checked by other liver blood tests have also increased.Liver blood testsLiver function tests are common tests that are used to see how well the liver is working. Tests include:AlbuminAlpha-1 antitrypsinAlkaline phosphata...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article An increased ALT level may be due to any of the following:Scarring of the liver (cirrhosis) CirrhosisCirrhosis is scarring of the liver and poor liver function. It is the last stage of chronic liver disease.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Death of liver tissue Swollen and inflamed liver (hepatitis) HepatitisHepatitis is swelling and inflammation of the liver.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Too much iron in the body (hemochromatosis) HemochromatosisHemochromatosis is a condition in which there is too much iron in the body. It is also called iron overload.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Too much fat in the liver (fatty liver) Lack of blood flow to the liver (liver ischemia) Liver tumor or cancer Use of drugs that are toxic to the liver Mononucleosis ("mono") MononucleosisMononucleosis, or mono, is a viral infection that causes fever, sore throat, and swollen lymph glands, most often in the neck.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Swollen and inflamed pancreas (pancreatitis) Risks There is little risk involved with having your blood taken. Veins and arteries vary in size from one person to another and from one side of the body to the other. Taking blood from some people may be more difficult than from others.Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight, but may include:Excessive bleeding Fainting or feeling lightheaded Multiple punctures to locate veins Hematoma (blood collecting under the skin) Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)Open ReferencesReferencesDaniels L, Khalili M, Goldstein E, Bluth MH, Bowne WB, Pincus MR. Evaluation of liver function. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 24th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 22.Pratt DS. Liver chemistry and function tests. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease: Pathophysiology/Diagnosis/Management. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 73.