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Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT)

Test Codes

Antrim #17263, EPIC: LAB5002, ALT

Department

Chemistry

Specimen Collection Criteria

FOR EC AND INPATIENT SAMPLE COLLECTION ONLY:

Preferred Sample:  One Light Green (Mint) Top Plasma Separator Tube (PST). (Minimum Whole Blood: 4.0 mL) 

Acceptable Sample:  One Gold Top SST (Minimum Whole Blood: 4.0 mL) 

Do NOT use Dark Green-top Lithium or Sodium Heparin tubes.

FOR PHYSICIAN OFFICE/OUTREACH SAMPLE COLLECTION:

COLLECT:  One Gold Top SST (Minimum Whole Blood:  4.0 mL) 

Contact Laboratory for acceptability of other tube types.
See Minimum Pediatric Specimen Requirements for Microtainer^® collection.

Physician Office/Draw Specimen Preparation

Let SST specimens clot 30-60 minutes then immediately centrifuge to separate serum from cells. Refrigerate (2-8°C or 36-46°F) the centrifuged SST tube within two hours of collection. (Minimum: 0.5 mL)

Preparation for Courier Transport

Transport: Centrifuged SST tube, refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F). (Minimum: 0.5 mL)

Rejection Criteria

• Moderate to grossly hemolyzed specimens.
• Red-top tubes with serum not separated from cells within two hours of collection.

In-Lab Processing

Let SST specimens clot 30-60 minutes. Centrifuge SST tubes and Microtainers^® to separate serum from cells. Deliver immediately to the appropriate testing station.

Storage

Specimen Stability for Testing:

Centrifuged SST Tubes and Microtainers^® with Separator Gel
Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 2-4 hours
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 7 days
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): Unacceptable

Red-top Tubes and Microtainers^® without Separator Gel
Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 2-4 hours
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): Unacceptable
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): Unacceptable

Serum Specimens (Pour-Overs)
Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 2-4 hours
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 7 days
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): 7 days

Specimen Storage in Department Prior to Disposal:

Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 7 days

Laboratory

Canton Chemistry Laboratory
Dearborn Chemistry Laboratory
Farmington Hills Chemistry Laboratory
Grosse Pointe Chemistry Laboratory
Livonia Main Laboratory
Lenox Main Laboratory
Royal Oak Automated Chemistry
Laboratory Troy Chemistry Laboratory
Taylor Chemistry Laboratory
Trenton Chemistry Laboratory
Wayne Chemistry Laboratory 

Performed

Sunday – Saturday, 24 hours a day.
STAT results available within 1 hour of receipt in the Laboratory.
Routine results available within 4 hours.

Reference Range

Sex	Age	Range (U/L)
Male	0 - < 1 Year	5-33
	1 - 12 Years	9-25
	13 - 18 Years	9-24
	≥19 Years	9-47
Female	0 - < 1 Year	5-33
	1 - 12 Years	9-25
	13 - 18 Years	8-22
	≥19 Years	8-37

Test Methodology

Enzymatic.

Interpretation

Increased ALT occurs with hepatocyte damage (rather than obstructive disease), including viral or toxic hepatitis and cirrhosis. A normal ALT level does not exclude cirrhosis. An aspartate aminotransferase to alanine aminotransferase (AST/ALT) ratio of greater than 2 suggests alcoholic hepatitis rather than viral hepatitis. Increased ALT levels may also occur with muscle disease and hemolysis.

Clinical Utility

The quantitative determination of ALT (alanine aminotransferase) aids in the diagnosis and management of liver disease.

CPT Codes

84460
LOINC:  20636-7, 22657-1, 1744-2

Contacts

Last Updated

3/21/2023