Is your ALT report high? Let's learn about ALT (Alanine Transaminase) in a simple way!

When you take a blood test, you may have seen that it has a value of ALT or SGPT. Perhaps the doctor has told you that this value is a little high and that you need to be a little careful about your liver. It is normal to feel a little scared and worried when you hear that. So what is this ALT? Why is it so important for our body? Don't be afraid, let's talk about all this simply and clearly.

Simply put, what is ALT?

Alanine Transaminase (ALT) is an enzyme in our body. To be precise, it is like a little worker inside our cells. Its main job is in the liver . However, in addition to the liver, this ALT enzyme is also present in small amounts in other places.

An enzyme is a type of protein that helps various processes in our body. Just like a spark plug is needed to start a car, the body needs these helpers called enzymes to do certain things.

So what does the ALT blood test do?

An ALT blood test measures the amount of ALT in your blood. Think of the liver as a house, and ALT as the workers inside that house. If the walls of this house are damaged in any way, the workers inside leak out (i.e. into the blood).

This means that when your liver cells are damaged, the ALT enzyme inside those cells is released into the blood. This causes the ALT level to rise in a blood test. This is why doctors use this test to get an idea of ​​the health of your liver.

The ALT test is not usually done on its own. It is done as part of a liver enzyme panel (LFT) or a comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP).

The ALT test is also known by several other names:

• Alanine Aminotransferase
• SGPT (Serum Glutamic-Pyruvic Transaminase)
• GPT

What is the difference between ALT and AST?

You may have noticed that along with ALT, another value called AST is also listed in your report. AST (Aspartate Transaminase) is another enzyme like ALT. Both of these can accumulate in the blood when cells are damaged.

But there is an important difference here. ALT is mainly found in the liver. But the enzyme AST is also found in significant amounts in the heart, skeletal muscle, and pancreas, in addition to the liver.

Therefore, when talking about liver health, we consider ALT to be more specific to the liver than AST. However, doctors look at both of these values ​​and other test results together to make an accurate decision.

Why are you being asked to do an ALT test?

There are three main reasons why a doctor might ask you to have a blood test, including an ALT test.

1. Screening before symptoms appear

Sometimes you may not have any symptoms. But this test can help you find out if you are at risk for developing liver disease in the future. Your doctor may recommend this test if you have any of the following risk factors:

• Excessive alcohol consumption.
• Having a family history of liver disease.
• Having diabetes.
• Obesity .
• Injecting drugs using needles shared with others.

2. To monitor a medical condition (Monitoring)

If you already have a liver condition, this test is done regularly to see if it is getting better, getting worse, or staying the same with treatment. It is also done to see if liver damage is occurring when you take certain medications that can affect the liver.

3. To help diagnose a disease (Diagnosing)

If you have symptoms that suggest a liver problem, this test is very important to find the cause. Although ALT levels alone cannot diagnose a disease, it is an essential part of the diagnostic process.

Is there any preparation required before this blood test?

If your ALT test is being done as part of a complete series of tests, such as a CMP, you may be asked to fast for about 10-12 hours . Fasting means not eating or drinking anything except water.

However, if you are only having an ALT test, fasting is usually not necessary. However, it is important to follow your doctor's instructions exactly.

Additionally, it is very important to tell your doctor about any medications, vitamins, or supplements you are taking, as some medications can affect ALT levels. Stop taking any medications before the test unless your doctor tells you to. Never stop taking any medications without your doctor's advice.

Since strenuous exercise can also affect ALT levels, if you regularly engage in strenuous physical exercise, tell your doctor about it in advance.

What happens when blood is drawn?

The process of donating blood is usually very simple.

• You will be seated in a chair, and a nurse or medical officer will find a convenient vein in your arm to draw blood from. Usually, a vein is chosen on the inside of the elbow.
• Then clean the area thoroughly and apply a disinfectant.
• A very small needle is inserted into a vein and a blood sample is taken. At this point, it may feel like a small ant is biting you.
• After inserting the needle, the required amount of blood is collected in a test tube.
• Once the blood is drawn, the needle is removed and a piece of cotton is placed and pressed to stop the bleeding.
• Just apply a plaster to the area and you're done. The entire process shouldn't take more than five minutes.

What exactly do ALT values ​​mean?

When you get your blood test report, it contains a lot of information. It usually states:

• The name of the test performed (e.g. Alanine Transaminase - ALT).
• Your result (your blood count).
• That is the normal range for the test.
• Whether your result is normal or abnormal (high or low).

What is the normal ALT value?

The normal range for ALT can vary slightly from one lab to another. A generally accepted value is between 7 and 56 units per liter (7 to 56 U/L). Men's ALT levels are usually slightly higher than women's.

What does an elevated ALT level mean?

Elevated ALT levels in the blood indicate that there may be damage or dysfunction to the liver cells. Some of the causes of elevated ALT levels include:

• Liver damage caused by alcohol.
• Fatty Liver Disease.
• Hepatitis (inflammation of the liver).
• Cirrhosis (scarring of the liver).
• Use of certain medications that are harmful (toxic) to the liver.
• Liver tumors or liver cancer.
• Reduced blood supply to the liver (Liver Ischemia).
• Excessive iron in the body (Hemochromatosis).
• Some infections, such as mononucleosis.
• Some genetic conditions that affect the liver.

But remember, ALT is not only found in the liver, so very rarely, ALT levels can be elevated even if cells are damaged elsewhere.

What does a low ALT level mean?

It is very rare to see ALT levels lower than normal. And it is usually not something to worry about. However, in some cases, ALT levels can be low due to vitamin B6 deficiency or chronic kidney disease. If your results are low, your doctor may do further tests to see if there is a cause.

Are there other factors that can affect the change in ALT levels?

Yes. In addition to medical conditions, there are several other factors that can affect your ALT levels. Your doctor will take all of these into account when analyzing your results.

What do you do next if you get an unusual result?

If your ALT level is abnormal, your doctor may recommend several more tests to find the cause.

• Repeat ALT test.
• Other blood tests.
• Scans such as ultrasound.
• Taking a small piece of tissue from the liver for examination (Biopsy).

If your ALT levels are very high or you have symptoms of liver disease, these further tests should be done immediately.

When should you see a doctor?

If you develop symptoms of liver damage, such as jaundice (yellowing of the skin) or abdominal pain, see your doctor immediately.

If you have already been diagnosed with liver disease and new symptoms develop, contact your doctor.

If you have any questions or concerns about your ALT results, never be afraid to ask your doctor about it.