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Laboratory Medicine

Test Directory / Alanine transaminase/ aminotransferase

Alanine transaminase/ aminotransferase

Brown clotted serum, gel barrier or lithium heparin

TestAlanine transaminase/ aminotransferase
Common AbbreviationsALT
ProfileLiver Function Test
Tube typeBrown clotted serum, gel barrier or lithium heparin
Clinical IndicationMarkedly elevated levels may be found in a variety of diseases involving the liver including hepatitis, mononucleosis and cirrhosis. Elevated levels may be detected in viral hepatitis and other forms of liver disease prior to the development of overt clinical symptoms such as jaundice. Levels greater than 15 times the upper reference limit are always indicative of acute hepatocellular necrosis of viral, toxic or circulatory origin. Increased levels may also be detected in cirrhosis and extracellular cholestasis or as a result of alcohol or drugs
Specimen TypeBlood
Sample typeSerum
Minimum Volume0.5mL If requesting more than 10 tests please send an additional brown clotted serum sample.
Special PrecautionsNo special requirements
Stability3 days at 15-25°C and 7 days at 2-8°C
Turnaround TimeUrgent: 2 hours Inpatient: 4 hours Outpatient/ GP: 24 hours
LaboratoryYork and Scarborough
Reference IntervalFemales: 0 -34 IU/L Pregnant females: 0 -27 IU/L Males: 0 - 45 IU/L
LimitationsSevere haemolysis, icterus or lipaemia may interfere with measurement and prevent an ALT value from being reported. Sulfasalazine / Sulfapyridine (300mg/L, therapeutic dose) may lead to falsely low results (up to 69% negative bias); Furosemide can cause falsely high results; Isoniazid can cause falsely low results; Hydroxycobalamin / Cyanokit (cyanide antidote) may cause interfernce with results.
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