What does the ALT level in a blood test say about the health of the liver?

The article was professionally consulted by Assoc. Prof. TS.BS Le Ngoc Hung - Dean and Doctor Bui Thi Hong Khang, Laboratory Department - Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital

After completing the test, if the ALT level is high, the patient will need more tests to determine the cause of the liver damage and the doctor will determine the treatment.

1. What is the ALT test?

The liver plays an important role in the human body such as secreting bile to aid in the digestion of food, removing waste products and toxins from the blood, and producing protein and cholesterol. The ALT (Alanine Aminotransferase) test is a blood test that detects liver damage caused by disease, medication, or injury. Conditions such as hepatitis or cirrhosis can reduce liver function.

2. Why is the ALT index important?

The human body uses the liver enzyme ALT to break down food into energy. However, when there is liver damage, the amount of liver enzyme ALT in the blood will increase.
Your doctor may order an ALT test if you have signs of liver damage such as:
Stomach pain or swelling Nausea/voting Jaundice, yellow eyes Heavy fatigue Dark urine Light colored stools Itchy skin The doctor may also order this test in the following cases:
The patient has been exposed to the hepatitis virus The patient drinks a lot of alcoholic beverages Family members with a history of liver disease Take medications with liver disease side effects ALT tests can be done as part of a routine blood test or can be used to determine how well treatment for liver disease is working.

Chỉ số ALT trong xét nghiệm máu nói gì về sức khoẻ của gan? — Xét nghiệm ALT xác định hiệu quả của việc điều trị bệnh lý gan

3. ALT . test results

Normal ALT test results can range from 7 to 55 units per liter. ALT levels are usually higher in men.
Possible causes of a slight increase in ALT:
Alcohol abuse Cirrhosis Mononucleosis Statin drugs, aspirin and some sleeping aids Causes may cause moderate increases in ALT levels :
Chronic liver disease Alcohol abuse alcohol Cirrhosis Cirrhosis (blockage of the bile ducts) Heart attack or heart failure Kidney damage Muscle injury Red blood cell damage Heat shock Too much Vitamin A High ALT levels can caused by:
Acute viral hepatitis Drug overdose of certain drugs such as acetaminophen Liver cancer Septic shock

5. Other tests

The ALT test will usually be done with other liver function tests such as:
Albumin test Alkaline phosphate test Bilirubin test Lactic acid dehydrogenase (LDH) test Quantitative protein test Clients are advised to get tested. Periodic health check-ups to be monitored and evaluated by a specialist for the progress of the disease. Vinmec International General Hospital offers a basic to advanced liver and gallbladder screening package to help customers evaluate the liver's ability to work through liver enzyme tests and screen for diseases early to avoid complications. dangerous late.

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