alt/sgpt (alanine aminotransferase)
Liver FunctionBlood sampleResults 24 hrsNo fasting
ALT/SGPT (Alanine Aminotransferase)
ALT (also called SGPT) is an enzyme found mainly in the liver. This test helps detect liver inflammation or damage, making it a key part of liver health checks.
Sample
Blood
Results
24 hrs
Fasting
Not required
Follow-up
Optional add-on
What this test detects
Alanine aminotransferase (ALT/SGPT)
Kinetic spectrophotometry · serum
Quantitative · U/L
When to get this test
Liver health
Elevated ALT can signal liver inflammation or injury, making it a core liver function marker.
Monitoring liver conditions
Used to track known liver conditions or the effects of certain medications.
General health screening
Often included in routine panels to check liver status.
How to prepare
01
No special preparation needed.
Common questions
What does a high ALT mean?
ALT rises when liver cells are inflamed or injured, so higher levels can point to liver stress. The cause is interpreted with other liver tests and your history.
How does ALT relate to AST?
ALT is more specific to the liver, while AST is found in other tissues too. They are often checked together to better understand liver health.