Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT)

ALT (Alanine Aminotransferase), Serum Glutamate-pyruvate Transaminase (SGPT), SGPT (Serum Glutamate-pyruvate Transaminase)

How To Prepare

Avoid strenuous exercise just before having an ALT test.

Tell your doctor if you:

  • Are taking any medicines. Many medicines can interfere with test results. Your health professional may instruct you to stop taking certain medicines for several days before having an ALT test. Some herbs and natural products (such as echinacea and valerian) also can affect ALT results.
  • Are allergic to any medicines.
  • Are or might be pregnant.

Talk to your health professional about any concerns you have regarding the need for the test, its risks, how it will be done, or what the results may mean. To help you understand the importance of this test, fill out the medical test information form Click here to view a form. (What is a PDF document?).


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Author: Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNCLast Updated January 18, 2006
Medical Review: Martin Gabica, MD - Family Medicine
Jerome B. Simon, MD, FRCPC, FACP - Gastroenterology

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
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Topic Contents
 Test Overview
 Why It Is Done
Arrow PointerHow To Prepare
 How It Is Done
 How It Feels
 Risks
 Results
 What Affects the Test
 What To Think About
 References
 Credits