Alanine transaminase (ALT) is an enzyme that’s mainly found in your liver. High levels of ALT in your blood may indicate damage or injury to your liver.
Learn about the amino acid alanine (Ala) and its role in metabolism, including its chemical properties, dietary sources, biological functions, and the importance of alanine transaminase (ALT) in the body.
A liver enzyme known as ALT plays an important role in breaking down proteins in the digestive process. High levels of ALT in the blood can indicate liver issues.
An alanine aminotransferase (ALT) test can show whether you have a liver disease or injury. Learn how this test works and how it can help your doctor diagnose you.
The possible causes of high ALT levels in the body include liver disease, alcoholism, obesity, muscle damage, heart failure, and more. Learn about symptoms and ways to lower high ALT levels.
While small amounts of ALT in your blood are normal, elevated levels often serve as an early warning sign that your liver needs attention. ALT testing has become a cornerstone of routine health screenings because it can detect liver problems before symptoms appear.
ALT blood tests are a type of test that measures your liver function. If you have liver damage or live with liver disease, your liver releases ALT into your blood.
Your ALT is usually measured along with another liver enzyme called AST as part of a liver function panel. Since ALT is mostly found in the liver, an ALT test checks more specifically for liver damage.
ALT Blood Test: What ALT Levels Mean The ALT blood test (alanine aminotransferase or SGPT) measures an enzyme released when liver cells are stressed or damaged. This quick guide explains what high or low ALT levels mean, typical reference ranges, common causes, and when retesting or at-home liver testing makes sense.