serumALT
Serum ALT, or alanine aminotransferase, is an enzyme primarily found in liver cells. It participates in amino acid metabolism by transferring an amino group from alanine to an acceptor such as alpha-ketoglutarate, producing pyruvate and glutamate. When hepatocytes are damaged or inflamed, ALT leaks into the bloodstream, causing elevated serum levels. Because of its relatively liver-specific distribution, Serum ALT is widely used as a marker of hepatocellular injury.
Normal reference ranges for ALT vary by laboratory, assay, age, and sex, but in adults the upper
Elevated serum ALT indicates hepatocellular injury but does not identify the cause. Common etiologies include acute
ALT testing is used to screen for and monitor liver disease, evaluate unexplained abdominal symptoms, and assess