Alanine aminotransferase test helps assess the functioning of your liver. With the help of the alanine aminotransferase blood test, it is easy for doctors to determine if your liver is damaged either due to the intake of some medicines or any disease. This health test measures the level of ALT enzyme in your blood. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) is an important enzyme found in the liver.
If the alanine aminotransferase test indicates high levels of ALT enzyme in your blood, it means that there is damage in your liver. With the help of the alanine aminotransferase blood test, early detection of liver diseases like jaundice is easily predictable even before you start showing symptoms.
The ALT enzyme plays a vital role in the liver by helping the organ break down different proteins. With the help of ALT, your liver is capable of performing the following functions.
Though ALT is predominantly found in the liver, during liver inflammation or damage, it is released in your blood. This results in an abnormal increase of the ALT enzyme in the blood, which can be determined with the help of the alanine aminotransferase test. According to a report, there is an increase in mortality among Indians due to liver damage [1]. Indians contributed 18.3% of the 2 million lives lost due to liver diseases in the year 2015 [2].
This makes it a problem that deserves care and attention. While you are aware that the liver is one of the most vital organs in your body, understand that any damage to this organ could be fatal. Approximately 10 lakh patients are diagnosed with liver ailments every year in India. That’s the reason why it is important for you to take the alanine aminotransferase blood test. This way, you can check if there is any damage in your liver and get treatment early on. For a proper understanding of the alanine aminotransferase test, read on.
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Your doctor may order this test under the following conditions.
While the alanine aminotransferase blood test is used to check conditions like liver failure or any other injury, you may need to undergo it if you are showing any liver disease symptoms. While an increase in the enzyme levels helps determine liver damage, you may not be able to assess the extent of damage using this test.
You may have to undergo other liver tests along with an alanine aminotransferase test. This may help the doctor understand liver injury in depth. If you have the following risk factors, the alanine aminotransferase blood test may be included in your routine checkup.
There are other reasons why you may have to undergo an alanine aminotransferase test. If your doctor wants to check the progression of your liver disease or understand how well the treatment plan is going, you may have to take this test. This test also helps to assess when the liver disease treatment should begin.
Additional read: What is the Alkaline Phosphatase Level Test? What is its Importance?
While there is no need for any special preparation, it is important that you inform the doctor about the supplements and drugs you are taking. Certain medications affect the alanine aminotransferase blood test results. You may have to fast overnight if you are getting comprehensive liver profiling done. In case you have been asked to undergo only the alanine aminotransferase test, you do not require fasting. Follow your doctor’s instructions for effective results. While the liver function test ranges between Rs.250 and Rs.1000, the alanine aminotransferase test cost ranges between Rs.60 and Rs.1000.
If your liver is healthy, your blood sample will show normal ALT levels. The alanine aminotransferase test results range differs according to each laboratory, so it is best to check the reference range in your results. ALT levels are slightly higher in males when compared to females.
Your age also plays a crucial factor in determining the ALT levels. The alanine aminotransferase test results range between 29 and 33IU/L for males for 19-25IU/L for females, according to a report [3]. While the value differs for each lab, a normal alanine aminotransferase test results range is usually between 7 and 55IU/L.
While you are aware that elevated levels of ALT enzyme indicate liver damage, remember that moderately high levels may be due to muscle injury or heat stroke. Get your alanine aminotransferase test results checked by a doctor to know about the underlying cause. Book this lab test on Bajaj Finserv Health and get your blood test done from the comfort of your home. Here you can also enjoy a discounted alanine aminotransferase test cost price of just Rs.278 and enjoy other discounts on diagnostic packages too.
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