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Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT)

Alternate Name: ALT (SGPT)

SAL Code:

316

CPT:

84460

Loinc:

1744-2

Turn Around Time:

1 Day

Setup:

Daily

Units:

U/L

Department:

Chemistry

Performing Laboratory:

Sherman Abrams Laboratory

Specimen Requirements:

Primary Tube:

SST

Primary Substance:

Serum

Alternate Sample Info:

Heparinized or EDTA plasma

Temperature

Period

Stable Ambient:

7 Days

Stable Fridge:

7 Days

Stable Frozen:

30 Days

Rejection Criteria:

Gross hemolysis; lipemia; improper labeling

Clinical Info:

The alanine aminotransferase (ALT) test is typically used to detect liver injury. It is often ordered in conjunction with aspartate aminotransferase (AST) or as part of a liver panel to screen for and/or help diagnose liver disease.

Additional Information:

ALT is more specific for the liver than AST. Nevertheless, injury to organs other than the liver, such as the heart and skeletal muscle, can cause elevations of ALT. For example, small increases may be seen with heart attacks.
1. Identify liver disease, especially cirrhosis and hepatitis caused by alcohol, drugs, or viruses.
2. Help check for liver damage.
3. Find out whether jaundice was caused by a blood disorder or liver disease.
4. Keep track of the effects of medicines that can damage the liver

Sample Collection:

Collect patient samples using standard phlebotomy techniques. Click here for additional collection instructions.

Test Limitations:

Grossly hemolyzed samples can generate somewhat spurious results. The activity in red cells is six times that of serum. Elevations are reported in trauma to striated muscle, rhabdomyolysis, polymyositis and dermatomyositis, but the CK (CK-MM fraction) is increased in such patients and it is preferable to
consider diseases of skeletal muscle. ALT is less sensitive than is AST to alcoholic liver disease. Increased ALT is found with obesity.

Test Information:

Components:

Brooklyn Navy Yard
Building 292, Suite 416
63 Flushing Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11205

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