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Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) : 823
Test CodeALTAU or 823
Alias/See Also
SGPT, ALT
CPT Codes
84460
Instructions
The assay manufacturer, Beckman Coulter, warns that patients treated with sulfasalazine may generate false low results for ALT.
Transport Container
Preferred Specimen
1 mL serum
Alternative Specimens
Sodium heparin (green-top) tube; Lithium heparin (green-top) tube
Minimum Volume
0.5 mL
1 mL serum
Alternative Specimens
Sodium heparin (green-top) tube; Lithium heparin (green-top) tube
Minimum Volume
0.5 mL
Transport Temperature
Room temperature.
Specimen Stability
Serum and plasma:
Room temperature: 72 hours; Refrigerated: 5 days; Frozen: Unacceptable
Room temperature: 72 hours; Refrigerated: 5 days; Frozen: Unacceptable
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Anticoagulants other than heparin
Methodology
Spectrophotometry
Setup Schedule
Sunday - Saturday
Report Available
1 day
Reference Range
Male (U/L) Female (U/L)
<1 Month 3-25 3-25
1-11 Months 4-35 3-30
1-3 Years 5-30 5-30
4-12 Years 8-30 8-24
13-15 Years 7-32 6-19
16-19 Years 8-46 5-32
≥20 Years 9-46 6-29
Clinical Significance
Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) measurements are particularly useful in the diagnosis and management of certain liver diseases, e.g., viral hepatitis and cirrhosis. ALT activity in tissue is generally much lower than aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity and is found in highest concentrations in the liver. Significant elevations of ALT occur only in diseases of the liver. ALT is often measured in conjunction with AST to determine whether the source of the AST is the liver or the heart. ALT is normally not elevated in cases of myocardial infarction, i.e., a normal ALT, in conjunction with an elevated AST, tends to suggest cardiac disease. However, slight elevations of ALT may occur if an infarct destroys a very large volume of heart muscle.
Performing Laboratory
med fusion
