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When is ALT ordered?
ALT or alanine aminotransferase test is used to screen for liver damage or to detect hepatocellular injury in symptomatic patients. In most cases, it is measured along with AST or aspartate aminotransferase. They both form a part of the liver panel or liver function tests and will be useful to diagnose liver disease or screen for liver damage in healthy individuals.
ALT is usually ordered for patients who have symptoms such as jaundice, abdominal pain, dark urine, pale stools, and related gastrointestinal problems. It is also collected in patients with recent exposure to hepatitis viruses, in heavy drinkers, in people with a medical history of the disease, diabetic patients, or those with dyslipidemia, obesity, or overweight.
Along with AST, it is one of the most fundamental exams in a liver function screening. It is more specific to liver injury as compared to AST. Still, a ratio should be calculated in order to detect concrete patterns that contribute to diagnosing the possible cause of hepatocellular damage.
This test is also useful when doctors need to monitor how the treatment for liver disease is going. If the drugs and measures are working as they should, these enzyme levels should reduce, but this happens very slowly and usually takes up weeks or months.
