SGPT; Serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase; Alanine transaminase; Alanine aminotransferase

Normal range can vary according to a number of factors, including age and gender. Normal value ranges may also vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.

Increased levels of ALT often means that liver disease is present. Liver disease is even more likely when levels of other liver blood tests are also increased.

An increase in ALT levels may be due to:

• Cirrhosis (scarring of the liver)
• Death of liver tissue (liver necrosis)
• Hepatitis
• Hemochromatosis
• Lack of blood flow to the liver (liver ischemia)
• Liver tumor or cancer
• Medications that are toxic to the liver
• Mononucleosis ("mono")
• Pancreatitis (swollen and inflamed pancreas)

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ALT Overview

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ALT Risks

Review Date: 02/20/2011
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)