Alanine Aminotransferase, Serum or Plasma

Also known as: ALT

Clinical Use

Use

The Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) test is primarily used to diagnose liver disease and to monitor liver health. Elevated levels of ALT in the bloodstream can indicate liver damage or liver disease, since ALT is an enzyme found mostly in the liver. It is vital for assessing liver health especially in conditions such as hepatitis, cirrhosis, liver injury due to toxins, and other liver-related illnesses. It may also be part of routine liver function testing to monitor those patients taking medications that can potentially impact the liver, or patients with conditions known to affect liver health.

Special Instructions

Not provided.

Limitations

The ALT test is subject to interindividual variability and may be influenced by factors such as age, sex, body mass index, and physical activity. Other conditions such as muscle injury or hemolysis may also cause mild increases in ALT levels that are not related to liver function. Therefore, results should be interpreted in the context of the patient's clinical presentation and other diagnostic tests. Additionally, different laboratories may use different reference intervals, instrumentation, or methodologies that affect ALT level readings, so comparison of results from different labs requires caution.

Test Details

New York Approved

Methodology

Automated Analyzer (Clinical Chemistry)

Biomarkers

Alanine Aminotransferase

Analyte

ALT Level

Concentration / Level • Quantitative (Continuous) (e.g., copies/mL, % expression)

LOINC Codes

Order Codes

1742-6 - ALT SerPl-cCnc

Result Turnaround Time

1 day

Specimen

Plasma

Volume

1 mL

Minimum Volume

0.2 mL

Container

ARUP standard transport tube

Collection Instructions

Collect in plasma separator tube. Allow serum tube to clot completely at room temperature. Separate serum or plasma from cells within 2 hours of collection, then transfer to an ARUP transport tube.