Concerned about how lifestyle factors might be affecting your liver, experiencing unexplained fatigue, or want to assess your liver's day-to-day function and health?
The Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) Blood Test, also called the ALT or SGPT test, measures an enzyme made in the liver. High ALT levels may suggest liver irritation or damage from conditions such as fatty liver, hepatitis, alcohol use, or certain medicines.
You will be emailed a referral to take to your local collection centre. If you ever have any questions, we're here to help.
Think of ALT as your liver's internal alarm system. This enzyme normally stays quietly inside your liver cells, working hard to help process proteins and keep your metabolism running smoothly. But when liver cells get damaged – whether from infection, medication, alcohol, or disease – ALT spills into your bloodstream like a smoke detector going off. The more damage, the louder the alarm, which is why an ALT test is one of the most reliable ways to catch liver problems early.
This simple blood test is especially valuable if you're taking medications that might affect your liver, have risk factors like diabetes or obesity, drink alcohol regularly, or are experiencing unexplained fatigue or abdominal discomfort. Since your liver silently handles hundreds of vital functions from filtering toxins to producing essential proteins, elevated ALT levels can reveal issues before you feel seriously unwell, giving you and your healthcare provider the chance to address problems while they're still manageable.
Reviewed by Dr. Vu Tran Bloody Good’s Chief Medical Officer
You may benefit from the Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) Blood Test
Essential for individuals with liver symptoms, risk factors for liver disease, medication monitoring, or anyone needing comprehensive liver health assessment.
Upper abdominal pain or discomfort
Nausea in the morning
Feeling tired all the time
Annual physical exam
High alcohol consumption
How to prepare
No special preparation required. Inform healthcare provider of all medications, recent alcohol intake, supplements, and any factors that might affect liver function and ALT levels.
Understanding results
Results show ALT levels compared to normal ranges. Elevated levels may indicate liver damage or disease, requiring further evaluation to determine the cause and appropriate treatment.
After the test
Address abnormal ALT through comprehensive liver evaluation, appropriate treatments for liver conditions, lifestyle modifications including alcohol reduction, and regular monitoring. Work with hepatologists as needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
ALT is a liver-specific enzyme involved in amino acid metabolism; elevated levels are a highly sensitive and specific indicator of liver cell damage or injury.
High ALT typically indicates liver damage or disease, such as hepatitis, fatty liver, medication-induced injury, or other conditions affecting liver cells.
ALT is highly liver-specific, making it one of the best tests for detecting liver damage, unlike AST which can also be elevated due to muscle or heart problems.
Causes include viral hepatitis, fatty liver disease, alcohol-related liver damage, medication-induced liver injury, autoimmune liver disease, and various other liver conditions.
Yes, many medications can cause liver damage and elevate ALT levels, including acetaminophen, certain antibiotics, statins, and many other drugs.
Maintain liver health through moderate alcohol consumption, healthy weight, regular exercise, avoiding hepatotoxic substances, and managing conditions like diabetes that affect liver health.
You will be emailed a referral to take to your local collection centre. If you ever have any questions, we're here to help.
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