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What is ALT (ALANINE TRANSAMINASE) in Blood Test? What is High and Low ALT (ALANINE TRANSAMINASE) Value? Causes & Treatment?

Updated: Jun 18, 2024


  • Alanine transaminase blood test is a test that measures the number of alanine transaminase (ALT) in your blood.

  • ALT is an enzyme found mostly in the liver. Enzymes are proteins that help speed up chemical reactions in the body. It acts as a catalyst in the cell. The human body uses the ALT enzyme to convert the food it consumes into energy.

  • Normally, a low level of ALT is found in the serum. ALT is increased with liver damage and is used to screen for and/or monitor liver disease.

Alanine transaminase blood test is a test that measures the number of alanine transaminase (ALT) in your blood. ALT is an enzyme found mostly in the liver. Enzymes are proteins that help speed up chemical reactions in the body. It acts as a catalyst in the cell. The human body uses the ALT enzyme to convert the food it consumes into energy. Normally, a low level of ALT is found in the serum. ALT is increased with liver damage and is used to screen for and/or monitor liver disease. The normal ALT value in a blood test is 4 to 36 units per liter (IU/L) for adults. High ALT in a blood test is a value above 36 units per liter (IU/L) for adults. If the ALT value is high, this is not always a medical condition that requires treatment. Many things can affect results, such as age, gender, some medications and nutritional supplements, intense exercise, weight and menstrual period. Other blood parameters are also checked to determine the causes of high ALT. These include enzymes such as AST (SGOT), LDH (lactate dehydrogenase), ALP (alkaline phosphatase), GGT (gamma glutamyl transpeptidase). Low ALT in a blood test is a value below 4 units per liter (IU/L) for adults. This is a rare condition. It usually does not cause any problems with your health. On the other hand, this may indicate vitamin B6 deficiency or a problem with the kidneys. If your ALT value is low, your doctor may order other tests to understand what problem is causing it.
What is ALT (ALANINE TRANSAMINASE) in Blood Test? What is High and Low ALT (ALANINE TRANSAMINASE) Value? Causes & Treatment?

What is A Normal ALT (ALANINE TRANSAMINASE) Value in Blood Test ?

The normal ALT (ALANINE TRANSAMINASE) value in a blood test is 4 to 36 units per liter (IU/L) for adults. Normal value ranges may vary depending on age and gender. Additionally, reference values may vary slightly between laboratories. The reference values at which the test was performed should be taken into account.


What is High ALT (ALANINE TRANSAMINASE) Value in Blood Test?

  • High ALT in a blood test is a value above 36 units per liter (IU/L) for adults.

  • If the ALT value is high, this is not always a medical condition that requires treatment. Many things can affect results, such as age, gender, some medications and nutritional supplements, intense exercise, weight and menstrual period.

  • Other blood parameters are also checked to determine the causes of high ALT. These include enzymes such as AST (SGOT), LDH (lactate dehydrogenase), ALP (alkaline phosphatase), GGT (gamma glutamyl transpeptidase).


What Causes High ALT (ALANINE TRANSAMINASE) in Blood Test?

These may be the reasons depending on the level of high ALT:

  • Liver damage

  • Liver cancer

  • Excessive alcohol consumption for a long time

  • Hepatitis

  • Cirrhosis

  • Heart attack, heart failure

  • Too much fat in liver

  • Mononucleosis

  • Hemochromatosis (having too much iron in body)

  • Genetic factors

High ALT (ALANINE TRANSAMINASE) Symptoms

The following symptoms may be seen in high ALT:

  • Nausea and vomiting

  • Tiredness

  • Abdominal pain or cramps

  • Loss of appetite

  • Dark urine color

  • Itching

  • Jaundice

  • Swelling in ankles


How to Treat High ALT (ALANINE TRANSAMINASE) Level?

There is no direct medical treatment to lower high ALT. Treatment options are directed at the cause. Therefore, first of all, the cause of the ALT elevation is determined. Once the underlying cause is found, your doctor will organize your treatment. You can pay attention to your diet and exercise to help treat high ALT. The process should be managed by your doctor.


What is Low ALT (ALANINE TRANSAMINASE) in Blood Test?

  • Low ALT in a blood test is a value below 4 units per liter (IU/L) for adults.

  • This is a rare condition. It usually does not cause any problems with your health.

  • On the other hand, this may indicate vitamin B6 deficiency or a problem with the kidneys.

  • If your ALT value is low, your doctor may order other tests to understand what problem is causing it.


What Causes Low ALT (ALANINE TRANSAMINASE) in Blood Test?

Some possible factors that cause low ALT include:

  • Vitamin B6 deficiency

  • Chronic kidney disease.


Low ALT (ALANINE TRANSAMINASE) Symptoms

A low ALT value usually does not cause any symptoms, or symptoms may vary depending on the cause. Possible symptoms of low ALT may be:

  • Constant fatigue, weakness

  • Numbness in hands, arms and legs

  • Nausea

  • Difficulty concentrating


How to Treat Low ALT (ALANINE TRANSAMINASE) Level?

Treatment of low ALT varies depending on the underlying cause. For example, if your ALT value is low due to vitamin B6 deficiency, under the supervision of a doctor, you can use B6 supplements or eat a B6-rich diet, including legumes, especially chickpeas, hazelnuts, bananas and avocados.

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