ALT (serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase, SGPT)

Edited by: Joe Hing Kwok Chu

A liver enzyme that plays a role in protein metabolism, like AST (asparate aminotransferase). The normal range of values for ALT  is from 7 to 56 units per liter of serum, (liquid part of the blood).

Liver damage from  hepatitis B or C,  or from drugs:  slight elevated serum levels of ALT can be a sign of :

Toxic hepatitis:  30 to 50 times normal values of serum ALT

Mycardial infarction: no or only minor elevations of serum ALT

The AST/ALT ratio is occasionally used in the differential diagnosis of liver disease.

Clinical Implications:

Elevated along with AST:

     Viral hepatitis

     Infectious mononucleosis

     Drug induced acute liver cell injury

Elevated to a Lesser Degree and Frequency than AST:

     Acute alcoholic liver disease

     Active cirrhosis

     Liver passive congestion

     Long standing extra hepatic bile duct obstruction

     Metastatic tumor to the liver

Interfering Factors:

     Hemolysis

     Drugs that can cause lower levels: acetic acid (indomethacin), carbenicillin, clindamycin, digitalis, erythromycin, gentamicin, lincomycin, mithramycin, spectinomycin, tetracycline, meperdine, (demerol), morphine, codeine, methyldopa, granethidine, salicylates, rifampin,fluazepam (Dalmane), oral contraceptives, and propranolol (Inderal).

See herb therapy to lower AST and ALT

See Chinese herb therapy for hepatitis B.