What is the ALT blood test?
ALT is an enzyme found primarily in the liver. When liver cells are damaged, they release ALT into the bloodstream. The ALT test measures the amount of ALT in the blood. High levels of ALT in the blood may indicate liver problems, even before symptoms of liver disease such as jaundice appear. Jaundice is a condition in which the skin and eyes turn yellow. An ALT blood test may help detect liver disease early.
Healthy hepatocytes store most of your ALT, but small amounts are also found in muscle and blood. When liver cells damaged by disease, injury, or medication, they release ALT and increase blood levels [3].
Therefore, the level of ALT in the blood indicates the health of the liver. Low levels usually indicate a healthy liver, and high levels indicate liver damage [4].
However, higher than normal results do not necessarily mean you have a medical condition that requires treatment. If the blood test shows an elevated ALT level, talk to your doctor about the implications of the results. Your doctor may recommend additional tests to determine the underlying cause of elevated ALT.
What is considered high level?
The normal range is about 7 to 35 U/L for women and 7 to 40 U/L for men. Ranges may vary from laboratory to laboratory due to differences in equipment, technology, and chemicals used.
Causes of elevated ALT levels
The causes listed below are generally associated with high ALT. Work with your doctor or other healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis. Your doctor will interpret ALT results based on your medical history, signs and symptoms, and other test results.
What is it used for?
ALT blood test is a type of liver function test. Liver function tests may be part of a routine exam. This test can also help diagnose liver problems.
Why do I need an ALT blood test?
Your healthcare provider may order liver function tests, including an ALT blood test, as part of a routine checkup or if you have symptoms of liver damage. This includes:
nausea and vomiting
Jaundice
stomach ache
loss of appetite
Abnormal itching
Tired
If you are at high risk of liver damage, your doctor may order an ALT blood test because ALT in the bloodstream may indicate liver damage before symptoms appear. Risk factors for liver disease include:
Family history of liver disease
drinking a lot
Exposure or potential exposure to hepatitis virus
obesity
diabetes
Use certain medications that can cause liver damage
What happens during an ALT blood test?
Medical professionals use a small needle to take a blood sample from a vein in the arm. After the needle inserted, a small amount of blood is collected in a test tube or vial. You may feel a slight burning sensation as the needle moves in and out. This usually takes less than 5 minutes.
No special preparation required for the ALT blood test. If your doctor orders additional blood sample tests, you will need to fast (not eat or drink) for several hours before the test. Your healthcare provider will let you know if you have specific instructions to follow.
Is there any risk in the experiment?
There is almost no risk
Related medical tests
Albumin blood test
Alkaline phosphatase
ALT blood test
AST test
Bilirubin blood test
Bilirubin in urine
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)
Fasting for blood test
Gamma glutamate transferase (GGT) test.
How to understand lab results
Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) test.
Prothrombin time test and INR (PT/INR) health topics.
Alcohol use disorder (AUD)
Treatment of alcohol use disorder (AUD).
Biopsy
Cirrhosis
hepatitis
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis C
Jaundice
liver disease
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