ALT (Alanine Aminotransferase)
An enzyme found mainly in liver cells; elevated levels can point to liver cell stress.
This is educational information, not a diagnosis. Only a doctor reviewing your full report and history can properly interpret your result.
What It Is
ALT is an enzyme concentrated almost exclusively in the liver. When liver cells are irritated or damaged, ALT leaks into the bloodstream, making it one of the more liver-specific markers on a standard panel.
Why It Matters
Because ALT is fairly specific to the liver, a rise in this marker is often one of the earliest blood-work signals of conditions like fatty liver, even before other symptoms develop.
Typical Reference Range
Labs commonly report a reference range of roughly 7-56 U/L for adults, though the exact cutoff depends on the laboratory, its equipment, and sometimes sex-specific ranges.
What Can Affect Your Results
- Fatty liver or rapid weight change
- Alcohol intake
- Certain medications, including some pain relievers
- Strenuous exercise in the days before testing
- Viral hepatitis or other liver infections
When It's Typically Checked
ALT is almost always measured as part of a routine liver function panel, and is repeated more frequently when monitoring a known liver condition or medication.
Related Tests
Medical Disclaimer
This page is provided for general educational purposes only and does not diagnose, treat, or interpret your individual results. Reference ranges vary between laboratories and testing methods, and a result outside a ‘typical’ range does not necessarily indicate a health problem, just as a result inside it doesn’t rule one out. Only a qualified physician reviewing your complete health picture can properly interpret your lab results — please discuss your reports with Dr Naturals or your treating doctor rather than relying on this page alone.