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Test Code ALT ALT (SGPT)

Additional Codes

Cerner

NextGen

ALT (SGPT)

ALT (SGPT)

ALT

 

Alternate Name(s)

Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT)

Serum Glutamic-Pyruvic Transaminase (SGPT)

Useful For

Alanine aminotransferase, an enzyme involved in amino acid metabolism, is found in many tissues, such as the liver, cardiac and skeletal muscle, kidneys, and pancreas.  Therefore, ALT elevations are found associated with both hepatic and non-hepatic disorders e.g. hepatitis, cirrhosis, liver tumors, biliary obstruction, Reye’s syndrome, rhabdomyolysis, myositis, myocarditis, and myocardial infarction.  Due to its primarily liver damage and ALT measurements are particularly useful in the diagnosis and management of liver disease.

Methodology

Multiple-point rate

Patient Preparation

None

Collection Instructions

Standard phlebotomy practices.

Specimen Requirements

Container

Specimen Type

Tube

Lithium Heparin Plasma

PST

 or  or 

Serum

 or 

SST

 or  or 

 

Stability

Storage

Temperature

Stability

Room Temperature

18-28°C

≤ 18 hours

Refrigerated

 2-8°C

≤ 1 week

Frozen

≤-18 °C

Not recommended

Rejection Criteria

Gross Hemolysis

Result Reporting and Reference Values

Reported in U/L.

Age

Gender

Normal Range

Critical Low

Critical High

0day-1year

Both

<51

N/A

N/A

1-12 years

Both

<32

N/A

N/A

12-18 years

Male

<53

N/A

N/A

12-18 years

Female

<39

N/A

N/A

18-150Y

M

<50

N/A

N/A

F

<35

N/A

N/A

Reflex Testing

None

Limitations

  • Serum and Plasma:
    • N-Acetylcysteine shows a negative bias.
    • Tolazamide shows a negative bias.
  • Certain drugs and clinical conditions are known to alter ALT concentrations in vivo, IFU Version 5.0 lists the following published summaries:
    • 12. Friedman RB, Young DS. Effects of Disease on Clinical Laboratory Tests. Washington, D.C.: AACC Press; 1990
    • Young DS. Effects of Drugs on Clinical Laboratory Tests. ed. 4. Washington D.C.: AACC Press; 1995.
  • Ortho reports no significant effect with the following:
    • Bilirubin up to 40 mg/dL
    • Lipemia up to 800 mg/dL