SGPT/ALT

Test Code

SGPT/ALT

Alias/See Also

Chemistry

Preferred Specimen

Light Green Top Tube -Plasma

Minimum Volume

2 mL

Other Acceptable Specimens

Gold Top Tube

Transport Temperature

Refrigerate

Specimen Stability

Room temperature: 3 days
Refrigerated (2-8°C): 7 days
Frozen (-40°C or colder): 60 days

Methodology
Activated Alanine Aminotransferase (also referred to as A-ALT)
The Activated Alanine Aminotransferase assay is used for the quantitation of alanine aminotransferase in human serum or plasma on the Alinity c system.
The Activated Alanine Aminotransferase assay is an automated clinical chemistry assay.
ALT present in the sample catalyzes the transfer of the amino group from L-alanine to 2-oxoglutarate, in the presence of pyridoxal-5'-phosphate, forming pyruvate and L-glutamate. Pyruvate in the presence of NADH and lactate dehydrogenase (LD) is reduced to L-lactate. In this reaction NADH is oxidized to NAD⁺. The reaction is monitored by measuring the rate of decrease in absorbance at 340 nm due to the oxidation of NADH to NAD⁺.

ALT, P-5'-P
L-Alanine + 2-Oxoglutarate			Pyruvate + L-Glutamate
LD
Pyruvate + NADH			L-Lactate + NAD⁺

The A-ALT reagent is based on the optimized formulation as recommended by the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry (IFCC).1, 2
Methodology: IFCC

Setup Schedule

Daily

Report Available

TAT 1 day

Reference Range

7.0 - 52.0 IUNITS/L

Clinical Significance

Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT), also referred to as glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT), is an enzyme involved in amino acid metabolism. It is found in many tissues, but the highest levels are found in the liver and kidney. Tissue destruction leads to the release of the intracellular enzyme into the circulating blood. Markedly elevated serum ALT levels may be found in a variety of diseases of the liver, such as hepatitis, mononucleosis, and cirrhosis. These very high levels of ALT are not usually observed in other disease processes, e.g., myocardial infarction; thus, ALT is regarded as a reasonably specific indicator of liver disease.

Performing Laboratory
Test performed in BACL Chemistry Labs
Contact: Jonathan Dryjowicz-Burek, West Roxbury 857-203-5973
Alternate contact Joseph A. Manzone JP 857-364-5092
Alternate contact Diane Robert BR 774-826-2294
Alternate contact Bhumikaben Patel Bedford 781-687-2976

Last Updated: April 17, 2026

The CPT Codes provided in this document are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed. Any Profile/panel component may be ordered separately. Reflex tests are performed at an additional charge.