| ALT (serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase, SGPT) Edited by: Joe Hing Kwok Chu Alt is a liver enzyme that plays a role in protein metabolism, like AST (asparate aminotransferase). Liver damage from hepatitis B or C, or from drugs: slight elevated serum levels of ALT can be a sign of : Toxic hepatitis: 30 to 50 times normal values of serum ALT Mycardial infarction: no or only minor elevations of serum ALT The AST/ALT ratio is occasionally used in the differential diagnosis of liver disease. Clinical Implications: Elevated along with AST: Viral hepatitis Infectious mononucleosis Drug induced acute liver cell injury Elevated to a Lesser Degree and Frequency than AST: Acute alcoholic liver disease Active cirrhosis Liver passive congestion Long standing extra hepatic bile duct obstruction Metastatic tumor to the liver Interfering Factors: Hemolysis Drugs that can cause lower levels: acetic acid (indomethacin), carbenicillin, clindamycin, digitalis, erythromycin, gentamicin, lincomycin, mithramycin, spectinomycin, tetracycline, meperdine, (demerol), morphine, codeine, methyldopa, granethidine, salicylates, rifampin,fluazepam (Dalmane), oral contraceptives, and propranolol (Inderal). See herb therapy to lower AST and ALT See Chinese herb therapy for hepatitis B. Sponsors' Ads by Google: Last update: Mar 8, 2009; 3:16 p.m. LAH |