Contents
In line with its mission, the Editorial Board of MedTvoiLokony makes every effort to provide reliable medical content supported by the latest scientific knowledge. The additional flag “Checked Content” indicates that the article has been reviewed by or written directly by a physician. This two-step verification: a medical journalist and a doctor allows us to provide the highest quality content in line with current medical knowledge.
Our commitment in this area has been appreciated, among others, by by the Association of Journalists for Health, which awarded the Editorial Board of MedTvoiLokony with the honorary title of the Great Educator.
Alanine aminotransferase (ALAT, ALT, ALT, GPT, SGPT) is an intracellular enzyme necessary for the proper functioning of cells in the body. Most often, ALT is done by examining the liver, but the enzyme is also found in skeletal, heart, and kidney muscles.
ALAT study consists in calculating the ratio of the activity of AST – also of the intrahepatic enzyme to ALT. On this basis, the so-called de Ritis index, the thresholds of which – below or above – suggest the presence of liver disease. ALAT study is performed by taking a small amount of the patient’s blood. The test should be performed on an empty stomach.
When planning the ALAT test, it is worth opting for more extensive diagnostics. For this purpose, an e-packet can be ordered for each MAKSIMUM version, which includes a comprehensive analysis of the basic parameters important for health. This test package is available on the Patient’s platform.
What the standards say in the ALAT study
Correct norms in biochemical examination ALT are: for alanine aminotransferase 5–40 U / I (85–680 nmol / l). If in the ALAT study it turns out that it is elevated (it is then called increased activity), which may indicate poor liver condition and various types of disease. Among them, the most common are viral hepatitis, toxic liver damage, circulatory failure and hypoxia, i.e. oxygen deficiency in tissues.
In turn, values from 200 to 400 U / l as the results ALAT tests may indicate diseases such as hepatic cholestasis, cirrhosis, heart attack – in the case of the latter two, AST must also be increased simultaneously.
Moreover, such a factor may represent a primary carnitine deficiency. Value ALT in the range from 40 to 200 U / l usually indicates inflammation of the pancreas, haemolysis – damaged plasmas that cause hemoglobin to enter them.
You can get a referral for the examination without leaving your home via the halodoctor.pl portal. You can visit your family doctor under the National Health Fund (NFZ) insurance.
Reasons for ALT Increase and Indications for ALAT
What else could lead to growth ALT? Increased value may also be the result of skeletal muscle injuries, crushed limbs or muscle inflammation, but not only. If the ALT test is high, it could be due to poisoning and the use of certain medications – especially those that lower cholesterol. Taking certain psychotropic drugs has a similar effect.
Increased score in the ALAT study sometimes it results from pharmacological treatment, e.g. during treatment with high doses of salicylates and with long-term administration of fibrates.
In a biochemical study ALT its norm in the blood ranges from 5 to 40 U / I (85–680 nmol / l). While examining the values of AST, it is recommended to be simultaneous to ALT test (the aforementioned de Rits index), its norm should reach a maximum of 40 IU / l.
The reality after the ALAT study
How can we lower too high a concentration ALT? First of all, through the use of drugs appropriately selected by the doctor. For this a proper diet devoid of fats and alcohols. It is equally important to properly and properly treat viral complications, i.e. recover as soon as possible if we are sick. This applies to both mild colds and more serious infections. So it’s good to do it once in a while ALAT studyto find out that nothing is wrong with the liver.