Biochemistry

Suitable Specimen Types

Li Hep Plasma

Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT)

Specimen Volume

1mL blood (~250uL sample)

Turnaround Time

24 hours

Sample Processing In Laboratory

No special requirements

Sample Stability

7 days at 2-8°C

General Information

The major source of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) is the liver with elevated ALT found in patients with hepatitis, cirrhosis, obstructive jaundice, carcinoma of the liver, or chronic alcohol abuse. ALT is more liver specific than AST and ALT elevations persist for longer periods of time. ALT is included as the standard hepatocellular enzyme measured in the laboratory set of tests for liver function (LIV) and profile (PRO) instead of AST.

ALT is present to a lesser extent in a variety of other tissues that includes skeletal muscle, kidney and heart. ALT is only slightly elevated in patients who have an uncomplicated myocardial infarction. In patients with vitamin B6 activity ALT may be decreased.

Patient Preparation

No special patient preparation required.

Reference Range

Adult male and female reference range: 0-55 IU/L (Abbott Alinity)

Source of Reference Range

In house validation

Specifications

  • EQA Status:

    UK NEQAS for Clinical Chemistry Scheme

  • EQAS Scheme: Yes

Link to Further Information

http://www.labtestsonline.org.uk/understanding/analytes/alt/

Related Tests

Albumin Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) Bilirubin (Direct) Bilirubin (Total) Gamma Glutamyl Transferase (GGT) Total Protein (serum)

Creation Date

Monday, 08 August 2011

Modification Date

Wednesday, 02 October 2019

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Protection of Personal Information – Clinical Laboratory Services comply with the Trust Data Protection Policy and have procedures in place to allow the Directorate and it’s employees to comply with the Data Protection Act 1998 and associated best practice and guidance.

University Hospitals Birmingham medical laboratories at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Heartlands Hospital, Good Hope Hospital and Solihull Hospital are UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) accredited to the ISO 15189:2012 standard. For a list of accredited tests and other information please visit the UKAS website using the following link: https://www.ukas.com/find-an-organisation/

  • Molecular Pathology is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 8759
  • Biochemistry is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 8910
  • Haematology and Transfusion is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 8784
  • Clinical Microbiology is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 8760
  • Cellular Pathology is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 10141
  • Musculoskeletal laboratory is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 9897
  • Heartlands, Good Hope and Solihull Hospital pathology laboratories are a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No.8217.

Tests not appearing on the UKAS Schedule of Accreditation currently remain outside of our scope of accreditation. However, these tests have been validated to the same high standard as accredited tests and are performed by the same trained and competent staff.

For further test information, please visit the test database: http://qehbpathology.uk/test-database

For further information contact Louise Fallon, Quality Manager, 0121 371 5962