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ALT blood test

ALT blood test

ALT blood test determines the level of the enzyme alanine transaminase (ALT) in the blood. ALT is found highly concentrated in the liver and in smaller amounts in the kidneys, heart, muscles and pancreas. This test is also called Serum glutamate and pyruvate transaminase (SGPT). Normal ALT blood levels lie between 4 - 36 units per liter (U/L) or 4-36 international units per liter (IU/L). Often this test is done along with AST blood test. ALT is measured to see if the liver is damaged or diseased. When the liver is damaged or diseased, it releases ALT in to the blood stream causing blood ALT levels to rise. An ALT blood test is often prescribed to identify liver diseases such as cirrhosis, hepatitis, jaundice and liver damage. Other causes for elevated blood ALT levels are thyroid disease, lead poisoning, polymuositis, heart attack and liver cancer.

CMP blood test

A CMP (Comprehensive Metabolic Panel) blood test is a set of specific tests that aid in providing a physician with vital information on the status of a patient's liver, kidneys, blood sugar, blood proteins and electrolyte balance. Often a CMP blood test is part of a yearly examination. The CMP blood test encompasses:

  • BUN blood test
  • Creatinine test
  • ALP blood test
  • ALT blood test
  • AST blood test
  • Bilirubin test
  • Glucose test
  • Calcium test
  • Albumin test
  • Total Protein test
  • Sodium test
  • Potassium test
  • CO2 test
  • Chloride test

    Jaundice

    Bilirubin is the residual element in the blood after the hemoglobin is removed. Normally the liver removes this bilirubin from the blood and it passes out through the feces. When the body has too much bilirubin, the resulting condition is called jaundice. Excess bilirubin starts circulating within the body leading to yellowing of skin and whites of the eyes. Jaundice is caused either due to inflammation of the liver or due to an obstruction in the bile duct. Other possible causes of jaundice are pancreatic cancer and cirrhosis. A patient suffering from jaundice has pale stools, dark urine and nausea.

    Jaundice is determined by measuring the level of bilirubin in the blood. ALT blood test or AST blood tests help in determining this. Ultrasonography or CT scan of the liver, pancreas and bile ducts can help in identifying the cause of jaundice.

    • ALT blood test

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