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Contents of this page: | |
Alternative names
SGPT; Serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase; Alanine transaminaseDefinition Return to top
A test that measures the amount of ALT in serum.How the test is performed Return to top
Adult or child:How to prepare for the test Return to top
Infants and children:How the test will feel Return to top
When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain, while others feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing.Why the test is performed Return to top
This test is used to determine if a patient has liver damage. ALT is an enzyme involved in the metabolism of the amino acid alanine. ALT is in a number of tissues but is in highest concentrations in the liver. Injury to the liver results in release of the enzyme into the blood.Normal Values Return to top
Normal range can vary according to a number of factors, including age and gender. Consult your physician or lab for interpretation.What abnormal results mean Return to top
Greater-than-normal levels may indicate:What the risks are Return to top
Special considerations Return to top
Veins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others. Update Date: 4/29/2003 Updated by: Andrew J. Muir, M.D., M.H.S., Division of Gastroenterology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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Page last updated: 28 October 2004 |