Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT, SGPT)

Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) or SGPT (serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase) has a normal range of 0-50 U/L and is used in the diagnosis and monitoring of liver diseases characterized by liver necrosis. It is primarily found in the liver and increases before clinical symptoms of liver disease appear. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) is more specific for the liver than aspartate aminotransferase (AST), but AST decreases more slowly. Significant increases (at least ten-fold, generally 20-50 fold, up to 100-fold) occur in acute liver cell damage (viral hepatitis, ischemia, toxic hepatitis).