ALT in the blood, which shows what the norm is, what to do if ALT is elevated

ALT, what does the blood show?

ALT is a shortened abbreviation for alanine aminotransferase. It is a special endogenous enzyme, which is classified as a transferase group and a subgroup of aminotransferases. The synthesis of the enzyme under consideration passes intracellularly. In the blood itself, it comes in a limited number.

When biochemical analysis shows an elevated ALT content, this can be regarded as the presence of abnormalities in the body and the possible development of serious disorders. Often, they are associated with the destruction of organs, and as a result, there is a sharp release into the blood of the enzyme. Alanine aminotransferase activity is enhanced.

It is difficult to establish the degree of tissue damage or the extent of their necrosis based on ALT level, because the enzyme is not characterized by organ specificity.

Alanine aminotransferase contains many human organs: kidneys, heart muscle, liver, skeletal muscle. The main function of the enzyme is the exchange of amino acids. It acts as a catalyst for reversible transfers of alanine from an amino acid to alpha-ketoglutarate.

As a result of amino group transfer, glutamic and pyruvic acids are obtained. Is Alanine Needed in the Tissues of the Human Body? Yes! It is an amino acid that rapidly turns into glucose. In this way, the brain and the central nervous system receive energy for their activity. Alanine strengthens the body's immune system, promotes the regulation of the metabolism of acids and sugars, and participates in the production of lymphocytes.

In the serum of men, alanine aminotransferase is most active. In women, the processes involving the enzyme proceed more slowly. The greatest concentration of the enzyme is manifested in the kidneys and liver, after it - skeletal muscles, spleen, pancreas, erythrocytes, lungs, heart go.

What is the analysis for?

As already mentioned, the highest amount of transferase in the liver. This fact is used to detect diseases of hepatic diseases that do not have external symptoms.

ALT, in contrast to many other components considered in the biochemical analysis of blood, has been studied most fully. With it, you can identify minor problems in the body. Sometimes the amount of ALT is compared with the volume of other elements in the blood. This allows you to draw conclusions about the presence of hidden ailments.

In order to obtain a complete study, an enzyme such as aspartate aminotransferase or AST is often used. It is similarly synthesized intracellularly, into the blood in a limited amount. The deviation from the standard of aspartate aminotransferase content established in medicine, as in the case of alanine aminotransferase, is regarded as a signal of deviations in the work of some organs. The most complete picture of the nature of the pathology makes it possible to correlate the amount of both enzymes.

If there is an excess of alanine aminotransferase over aspartate aminotransferase, this indicates a destruction of the liver cells. The level of AST increases dramatically in the late stages of the disease of this organ, such as cirrhosis. When the level of aspartate aminotransferase exceeds the content of alanine aminotransferase, there are problems with the heart muscle.

Confirm the presence of the disease and the degree of organ damage allow for additional diagnostic methods. However, ALT is an accurate indicator, in some cases with its help it is possible to establish even a stage of the disease and to suggest possible variants of its development.

ALT assay when assigned?

Within the framework of a general biochemical blood test, the amount of alanine aminotransferase content is determined. Often, only one type of examination is used, when there is no need to use additional methods. They are tested for ALT.This is due to the selective tissue specialization that the enzyme has.

The amount of alanine aminotransferase in case of problems with the liver helps to identify them even before the appearance of the most characteristic symptom - jaundice. Therefore, the doctor usually assigns the ALT to the ALT to check for damage to the important organ as a result of taking medications or any other substances that are toxic to the body.

The study is also conducted with suspicions of hepatitis. Analysis for ALT is mandatory in the presence of such symptoms as fatigue and weakness of the patient. He loses his appetite, often feels sick with vomiting. Yellow spots on the skin, pain and discomfort in the abdomen, yellowing of the eye proteins, light feces and dark urine - all this can be a sign of liver disease. In these cases, this analysis is required.

ALT can be compared with AST for additional information on the causes of liver damage. This is done if the number of enzymes significantly exceeds the norm. The ratio of AST to ALT is known in medicine as the de Ritis coefficient. Its normal value ranges from 0.91 to 1.75.If this indicator becomes more than 2, then the damage to the heart muscle, which proceeds with the destruction of cardiomyocytes, is diagnosed. Myocardial infarction is also possible. The de Ritis coefficient, not exceeding 1, indicates liver diseases. And the lower the value of the indicator, the greater the risk of an unfavorable outcome.

ALT analysis can be used not only as a diagnostic method, but also during treatment. This allows to determine the dynamics of the course of the disease and to identify improvements or worsening of the patient's condition. Analysis for ALT is necessary if there are factors contributing to liver disease. These include the abuse of alcoholic beverages or drugs that destroy the cells of the body. If the normal amount of alanine aminotransferase is exceeded, other drugs are prescribed in the blood.

It is necessary to check the amount of ALT if the patient has been in contact with hepatitis patients or has recently transferred it, has diabetes and excess weight. Some people have a predisposition to liver disease. He also shows an analysis on ALT.

Requirements for admission to

analysis When used, either venous or capillary blood is used. To obtain reliable results, it is necessary to comply with certain requirements.

1. First, do not eat 12 hours before the change and not drink alcohol for a week. Even a small amount of food can significantly affect the result.
2. Secondly, within half an hour before the analysis to give up smoking, do not worry, avoid the moral and physical strain. Results are usually ready a day after the date of delivery.

What is the norm of ALT in the blood of men and women?

Consider the norms of ALT and AST in the blood for women and men.

1. Alanine aminotransferase( ALT, or ALT) is a marker enzyme for the liver.
2. Aspartate aminotransferase( AST, or ASAT) is a marker enzyme for the myocardium.

The amount of the enzyme content of alanine aminotransferase in the blood is measured in units per liter.

ALT( ALT) in children

ALT in children varies according to age:

1. In newborns up to 5 days: ALT should not exceed 49 U / L.(AST up to 149 U / l.).
2. For children under six months, this figure is higher - 56 U / l.
3. At the age of six months to a year, the amount of ALT in the blood can reach 54 U / l.
4. From year to three - 33 U / l, but gradually the normal amount of enzyme in the blood decreases.
5. In children from 3 to 6 years, its upper limit is 29 U / l.
6. At 12 years, the alanine aminotransferase content should be less than 39 U / L.

Minor deviations from the norm are tolerated in children. This is due to uneven growth. Over time, the amount of enzyme in the blood should stabilize and approach the normal.

ALT( ALT) in adults

Enzyme	Normal in men	Normal in women	In mmol / l
ALT( ALAT)	up to 45 U / l.(0.5 - 2 μmol) of	to 34 U / l.(0.5-1.5 μmol)	28-190 mmol / L( 0.12-0.88)
AST( ASAT)	up to 41 U /	up to 31 U /	28-125 mmol / l(0.18-0.78)

Enzyme Enhancement Degrees

Enzyme Enhancement Degrees	In which diseases does AST and ALT increase?
1. Easy - in 1,5-5 times; 2. The average is 6-10 times; 3. High - 10 times and higher.	· Myocardial infarction( more than AST); · Acute viral hepatitis( more ALT); · Toxic liver disease; · Malignant tumors and metastases in the liver; · Destruction of skeletal muscles( crash syndrome).

The results of the ALT analysis are often far from the established standards. It can be connected not only with the presence of inflammatory processes in the body, but also with other factors.

Elevated levels of alanine aminotransferase may be triggered by the use of aspirin, warfarin, paracetamol, and oral contraceptives in women. Therefore, the doctor should be aware of the use of such drugs before giving an analysis to the ALT.A similar effect is provided by drugs based on valerian and echinacea.

Unreliable results of the analysis may be caused by increased motor activity or intramuscular injections.

If ALT is elevated in the blood?

The amount of alanine aminotransferase in the blood is considered elevated if it exceeds the established rate, especially in tens, and in some cases, hundreds of times. Depending on this, the presence of the disease is determined.

When the ALT level is increased 5 times, myocardial infarction can be diagnosed, if it reaches 10-15 times, it can be said that the patient's condition worsens after an attack. The value of the de Ritis coefficient also varies in this direction.

Hepatitis provokes an increase in ALT in the blood 20-50 times, muscular dystrophy and dermatomyositis - in 8. About gangrene, acute pancreatitis says that the upper limit of the indicator is 3-5 times higher.

Not only can an increase in the content of alanine aminotransferase in the blood. Its too low amount is associated with a lack of vitamin B 6, which is part of this enzyme, or with complex inflammatory processes in the liver.

Increase in ALT, what does it say?

The increase in ALT indicates the course of inflammatory processes in the body. They can be caused by the following diseases:

1. Hepatitis. This inflammatory liver disease can be presented in several forms. For chronic or viral hepatitis, the elevation of the alanine aminotransferase level in the blood is negligible. With hepatitis A, ALT analysis provides an opportunity to identify an infection in advance. The amount of enzyme in the blood increases in a week, before the first external manifestations of the disease appear in the form of jaundice. Viral or alcoholic hepatitis is accompanied by a pronounced increase in the level of ALT.
2. Myocardial infarction. This disease is a consequence of a blood flow disorder, resulting in necrosis of the tissues of the heart muscle. In the case of uncomplicated myocardial infarction, the level of ALT rises slightly in comparison with AST, nevertheless it can be used to determine an attack.
3. Myocarditis. It manifests itself in the defeats of the heart muscle. Its main symptoms are shortness of breath, rapid fatigue of the patient and elevated levels of ALT in the blood. To diagnose this disease, the AST level is determined, and then the de Ritis coefficient is calculated.
4. Pancreatitis. The presence of this disease is also indicated by the level of ALT.Its increased number indicates an exacerbation of pancreatitis. The analysis on ALT for patients with this diagnosis will have to be carried out periodically throughout life. This will help to avoid attacks of the disease and monitor the progress of treatment.
5. Liver cancer. This malignant tumor is often formed in patients with hepatitis. The analysis on ALT in this case is necessary both for diagnostics of the disease, and for making a decision about the operational decision. When the level of alanine aminotransferase is significantly higher than normal, surgical intervention may not be possible, since the risk of various complications is high.
6. Cirrhosis. This disease is dangerous because for a long time it may not have a pronounced symptomatology. Patients quickly become tired, feel tired. Less common pain in the liver. In such a case, cirrhosis can be determined by the increased content of ALT in the blood. The amount of enzyme in the blood can exceed the norm by 5 times.

Causes of elevated ALT content

1. hepatitis;
2. mononucleosis is an infectious disease that manifests itself in changes in blood composition, damage to the liver and spleen;
3. necrosis of malignant tumor;
4. non-compliance with the basic rules of the analysis, including the sterility of the procedure;
5. muscle damage;
6. increased emotional or physical exertion;
7. reception of narcotic substances;
8. taking a number of medicinal or herbal products - barbiturates, statins, antibiotics;
9. performed shortly before the analysis of cardiac catheterization or other surgical intervention;
10. chemotherapy;
11. psychological shock;
12. lead poisoning of the body;
13. steatosis - a disease manifested in the accumulation of fat cells in the liver, is most common in people with excess weight;
14. drinking alcohol less than a week before taking blood;
15. frequent use of fast food before taking the test for ALT.

Increased ALT in pregnancy

In women, the amount of alanine aminotransferase is limited to 31 U / L.However, in the first trimester of pregnancy, a slight excess of this value is possible. This is not considered a deviation and does not indicate the development of any disease.

In general, the level of ALT and AST during pregnancy should be stable.

A slight increase in the number of enzymes of this group is observed in gestosis. They then have a light or medium weight. Gestosis is a complication that occurs in late pregnancy. Women experience weakness, dizziness and nausea. They have high blood pressure.

The more the ALT deviates from normal, the heavier the gestosis. This is the result of too much stress on the liver, with which it can not cope.

What can I do to reduce ALT in the blood?

The alanine aminotransferase content in the blood can be reduced by eliminating the cause of this phenomenon. Since the most common factor in increasing ALT are liver and heart disease, it is necessary to begin with their treatment. After conducting the course of procedures and taking appropriate medications, a biochemical blood test is repeated. With proper treatment, the ALT level should return to normal.

Sometimes, special drugs such as hephitol, heptral, dufalac are used to lower it. They should be appointed by a doctor, and the reception is conducted under his supervision. Most drugs have contraindications, which must be taken into account before starting treatment.

However, such remedies do not eliminate the underlying cause of increased ALT.After some time after taking the drugs, the enzyme level may change again. Therefore, it is necessary to contact a qualified specialist who will put the correct diagnosis and prescribe the appropriate treatment.

Source of publication: editorial of the article by Mochalov Pavel Aleksandrovich, MD, therapist from the portal http: //www.ayzdorov.ru/ ttermini_alt_v_krovi.php