Home Biomarkers SGOT (ALT)

SGOT (ALT)

LFT Biomarker

Sample Needed

Collection Type: Blood

Body System

Related System: LFT

Overview

Alanine aminotransferase (ALT, historically labeled SGPT) is an enzyme concentrated in liver cells that helps metabolize amino acids. The ALT blood test measures how much of this enzyme is released into the bloodstream a marker of hepatocellular (liver cell) injury. Elevated ALT suggests liver inflammation or damage from causes such as viral hepatitis, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), alcoholic liver disease, drug- or toxin-induced injury, or ischemia. Symptoms prompting testing include jaundice, abdominal pain, dark urine, fatigue, nausea, or unexplained malaise. Normal values and the likelihood of specific diagnoses vary by age, sex (men typically have slightly higher reference limits), body mass, pregnancy, and athletic activity; laboratory reference ranges also differ by method.

People also test for

Test Preparation

No special preparation is required

Why Do I Need This Test

Profile: Included in a Liver Function Test (LFT) panel.
When to test: symptoms like jaundice, abdominal pain, dark urine, persistent fatigue, or as part of routine screening (e.g., monitoring medications).
Conditions: helps diagnose/monitor viral hepatitis, NAFLD, alcoholic liver disease, drug-induced liver injury, cirrhosis, and acute hepatic injury.
Reasons for abnormal levels: hepatocellular damage, muscle injury, ischemia, toxins/medications.
Biological meaning: elevated ALT = leakage from damaged liver cells.
Lifestyle causes: heavy alcohol use, obesity, certain drugs (e.g., acetaminophen, statins), extreme exercise.
Family history: hereditary liver diseases (hemochromatosis, Wilson disease, alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency) may prompt testing.

Run our symptom checker to see if this test is right for you

Symptom Checker

Understanding Test Results

Values must be interpreted against the lab’s reference range and patient factors.
Mild elevation (up to ~2× upper limit of normal; e.g., ~56–112 U/L) commonly reflects chronic conditions such as NAFLD, alcohol use, or medication effect and often warrants lifestyle changes and repeat testing.
Moderate elevation (~2–5× ULN; e.g., ~112–280 U/L) suggests more active inflammation from viral hepatitis, alcoholic hepatitis, or significant drug toxicity.
Marked elevation (>5× ULN; e.g., >280 U/L) and especially >10× ULN (e.g., >560 U/L) point to severe acute hepatocellular injury (acute viral hepatitis, ischemic/ shock liver, or toxin/overdose such as acetaminophen) and require urgent evaluation.
Slightly low ALT is rarely clinically important (may be seen with vitamin B6 deficiency, malnutrition, or frailty).
Compare with AST and other LFTs: AST greater than ALT suggests alcoholic or advanced fibrotic disease, whereas ALT predominance favors viral or metabolic liver injury.
Always correlate with history, exam, imaging, and additional labs.

Normal Range

7-56 U/L

FAQs

Q: What is SGOT ALT?

A: SGOT (also called AST) and ALT are liver enzymes released into blood when liver cells are damaged. Tests measure their levels to assess liver health; ALT is more specific to the liver while AST is also found in heart and muscle. Mild-to-marked elevations occur with hepatitis, fatty liver, alcohol injury, drugs, or muscle injury. Normal ranges vary by lab (roughly AST 10–40 U/L, ALT 7–56 U/L).

Q: Is SGOT high in fatty liver?

A: Yes. SGOT (AST) may be mildly to moderately elevated in fatty liver (NAFLD). Early steatosis more commonly raises ALT than AST, but both can increase. Marked AST elevation or an AST>ALT ratio suggests advanced fibrosis or another cause (eg, alcoholic liver disease). Normal AST does not exclude fatty liver; diagnosis relies on imaging and clinical assessment.

Q: What if SGOT ALT is very high?

A: Very high AST/ALT suggests significant liver injury. Causes include acute viral or drug/toxin-induced hepatitis (eg acetaminophen), ischemic injury, severe alcoholic or autoimmune hepatitis, or massive muscle breakdown. Urgent evaluation is needed: repeat tests, liver panel (bilirubin, INR), medication review, imaging and viral serology. Stop alcohol/hepatotoxins and seek immediate medical attention; hospitalization and specialist referral may be required.

Q: What are normal ALT levels in pregnancy?

A: In pregnancy, normal alanine aminotransferase (ALT) values are generally the same as in non‑pregnant adults typically up to about 35–56 U/L depending on the laboratory, with many clinicians using ~40 U/L as the upper limit. Lab ranges vary; persistent or markedly elevated ALT (especially more than two to three times the upper limit) should prompt evaluation for pregnancy‑related liver conditions.

Q: What should a child's ALT level be?

A: A child’s alanine aminotransferase (ALT) is typically low: most labs report a normal range roughly 7–40 U/L, though some pediatric cut-offs are lower (around <30 U/L) and values depend on age, sex and assay used. Small variations may be normal; persistent or significantly raised ALT needs evaluation. Always compare with the lab’s reference range and discuss abnormal results with your child’s clinician.

Q: How do I reduce SGOT and SGPT?

A: Lower SGOT/SGPT by addressing underlying causes: stop or limit alcohol, lose weight if overweight, follow a balanced low‑fat, low‑sugar diet, and exercise regularly. Control diabetes and cholesterol, avoid unnecessary or hepatotoxic medications and herbal supplements, and get vaccinated/treated for viral hepatitis if indicated. Monitor liver tests and follow your clinician’s recommendations.