Home Biomarkers SGPT (ALT)

SGPT (ALT)

LFT Biomarker

Sample Needed

Collection Type: Blood

Body System

Related System: LFT

Overview

Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), often reported as SGPT, is an enzyme found mainly in liver cells that helps convert amino acids during metabolism. The blood ALT test measures the enzyme released into circulation when liver cells are damaged. Elevated ALT suggests hepatocellular injury and can point to conditions such as acute or chronic viral hepatitis, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), alcoholic liver disease, drug- or toxin-induced liver injury, and autoimmune or metabolic liver diseases. Symptoms that commonly prompt testing include jaundice, dark urine, abdominal pain, unexplained fatigue, nausea, or abnormal imaging/liver function tests. Normal ALT ranges vary by age and sex (men typically slightly higher than women) and can be influenced by body mass, recent exercise, and medications.

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Test Preparation

No special preparation is required

Why Do I Need This Test

Profile: Included in the Liver Function Test (LFT) panel.
Symptoms indicating testing: jaundice, right upper-quadrant pain, unexplained fatigue, dark urine, abnormal routine labs or imaging.
Conditions diagnosed/monitored: viral hepatitis, NAFLD/NASH, alcoholic liver disease, drug-induced liver injury, autoimmune hepatitis, monitoring hepatotoxic medications.
Reasons for abnormal levels: liver cell injury from viruses, alcohol, fat, drugs, ischemia, or toxins.
Biological meaning: higher ALT = more hepatocellular injury; very low values are usually not significant but may occur in advanced cirrhosis.
Lifestyle/family: heavy alcohol use, obesity, recent intense exercise, hepatotoxic drugs, and family history of hereditary liver disease warrant testing.

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Understanding Test Results

Values within 7-56 U/L are considered normal.
Mild elevations (about 1–3× upper limit of normal; ~56–168 U/L) often reflect chronic liver conditions (early NAFLD, mild hepatitis), medication effects, or alcohol use and usually prompt repeat testing and evaluation of risk factors.
Moderate elevations (≈3–5× ULN; ~168–280 U/L) suggest more substantial injury from viral hepatitis, alcoholic hepatitis, or significant drug/toxin effect.
Marked elevations (>5× ULN; >280 U/L) are seen with acute viral hepatitis, ischemic liver injury, or severe drug-induced hepatotoxicity.
Very high levels (often >1,000 U/L) typically indicate acute severe hepatocellular necrosis (acute viral/ischemic/drug injury) and require urgent evaluation.
Low ALT values are rarely clinically important; very low levels can occur in advanced cirrhosis due to reduced hepatocyte mass or in certain nutritional deficiencies.
Clinical context, other LFTs (AST, ALP, bilirubin), imaging, and history determine next steps.

Normal Range

7-56 U/L

FAQs

Q: What does it mean if SGPT ALT is high?

A: An elevated SGPT (ALT) indicates liver cell injury or inflammation. Common causes include viral hepatitis, alcoholic or nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, certain medications, toxins, and bile-duct problems; less often muscle injury. Degree of rise helps guide urgency. Persistent or high levels require repeat testing, review of medicines/toxins, targeted tests (e.g., viral markers, imaging) and treatment of the underlying cause.

Q: How do I reduce my ALT SGPT?

A: To lower ALT (SGPT), lose weight if overweight, eat a balanced low‑sugar, low‑saturated‑fat diet, increase regular exercise, and stop or limit alcohol. Control diabetes and high cholesterol, review medications and supplements with your doctor to avoid hepatotoxic agents, and treat viral hepatitis if present. Get recommended vaccinations and repeat liver tests as directed by your clinician.

Q: What is a dangerously high level of ALT?

A: Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) normally runs roughly 7–56 U/L depending on the lab. Mild elevations are up to 2–3× the upper limit; values above about 300 U/L indicate significant hepatocellular injury. ALT levels exceeding ~1,000 U/L are considered critically high and often reflect severe acute liver damage (e.g., viral hepatitis, toxins). Any marked elevation needs prompt medical evaluation.

Q: What is ALT in blood tests in children?

A: ALT (alanine aminotransferase) is a liver enzyme measured in children's blood to assess liver cell health. Low levels are normal; raised ALT suggests liver injury from causes like viral hepatitis, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, medicines/toxins, or muscle disease. Mild rises can be transient repeat testing and evaluating other liver tests, history, medications, and imaging are needed. Persistent or high elevations warrant specialist referral.

Q: How to treat high SGPT in liver?

A: Treating high SGPT (ALT) focuses on identifying and managing the cause: stop alcohol and hepatotoxic drugs, control weight, adopt a healthy diet and regular exercise, and manage diabetes, lipids, and blood pressure. Test for and treat viral hepatitis if present. Avoid unregulated supplements, repeat liver tests and imaging as recommended, and consult a hepatologist for persistent or worsening elevations.

Q: Can fatty liver cause high SGPT ALT?

A: Yes. Fatty liver (including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease) commonly causes elevated SGPT/ALT because fat-related liver inflammation and cell injury release ALT into the blood. Levels are often mildly to moderately raised, though they can be normal in some cases. Persistent or high ALT warrants evaluation to assess severity, rule out other causes, and guide treatment like weight loss, exercise, and metabolic control.