Answer:
Dear
Joanne,
An alanine
aminotransferase (ALT) test measures the amount of this enzyme in
the blood.
ALT (Alanine
aminotransferase) normal range is 5 U/L to 45 U/L . U/L =Units per
liter.
The ALT
is an enzyme that is produced in the liver cells (hepatocytes) therefore
it is more specific for liver disease than some of the other enzymes
. It is generally increased in situations where there is damage to
the liver cell membranes. All types of liver inflammation can cause
raised ALT.
Liver
inflammation can be caused by fatty infiltration (see fatty liver)
some drugs/medications, alcohol, liver and bile duct disease.
Fatty
liver is the collection of excessive amounts of fat inside liver cells,
also called steatosis hepatitis.
It is
important avoid strenuous exercise just before having an ALT test.
Very
high levels of ALT may be caused by:
Recent
or severe liver damage, such as viral hepatitis.
Lead poisoning.
Drug reactions.
Exposure to carbon tetrachloride.
Decay of a large tumor (necrosis).
Shock.
Mildly
or moderately high ALT levels may be caused by:
Mononucleosis.
Hepatitis. The ALT level in a person with hepatitis can be 20 times
the normal value.
Alcohol dependence. People who drink excessive amounts of alcohol
and take acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) can have high ALT blood levels.
Mildly elevated levels of ALT may occur in people who are growing
quickly, especially young children.
Slightly
high levels ALT levels may be caused by:
Cirrhosis.
Liver cancer.
A heart attack.
Thyroid disease.
Polymyositis.
Severe burns.
Injury to the pancreas, kidneys, or muscles.
Vigorous exercise.
Many medicines, such as antibiotics, chemotherapy, aspirin, narcotics,
and barbiturates.
ALT values
>60 IU were associated with a significantly increased prevalence
of antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HB8) and antibody
to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBC) occurring together.
Reasons
you may not be able to have the test or why the results may not be
helpful include:
Taking
medicines. Talk with your health professional about all the prescription
and nonprescription medicines you are taking. You may be instructed
to stop taking your medicines for several days before the test.
Taking
some herbs and natural products, such as echinacea and valerian.
Strenuous exercise, injury to a muscle, or injections into a muscle.
Recent cardiac catheterization or surgery.
The ALT
test detects liver injury. ALT values are usually compared to the
levels of other enzymes, such as alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and aspartate
aminotransferase (AST), to help determine which form of liver disease
is present.
Very
high levels of ALT (more than 10 times the highest normal level) are
usually due to acute hepatitis, often due to a virus infection. In
acute hepatitis, ALT levels usually stay high for about 1–2 months,
but can take as long as 3–6 months to come back to normal.
Heavy
exercise can cause a mild elevation like yours in ALT.
