What does liver function ALT mean?
May 08, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Gao Jun
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, "liver function tests" refer to assessments of liver function. In liver function testing, ALT stands for alanine aminotransferase. Alanine aminotransferase is a common enzyme found in liver cell cytoplasm and is also present in other tissues such as the myocardium, skeletal muscle, and kidneys, although it is most abundant in liver cells. Alanine aminotransferase is one of the important indicators for evaluating liver function.
Generally, "liver function" refers to liver function tests, and ALT in these tests stands for alanine aminotransferase. The detailed explanation is as follows:
Alanine aminotransferase is a common enzyme found in the cytoplasm of liver cells and is also present in other tissues such as the heart muscle, skeletal muscles, and kidneys, although it is most abundant in liver cells. Alanine aminotransferase is one of the important indicators for assessing liver function and is highly sensitive. When liver cells are damaged, alanine aminotransferase is released from the injured liver cells into the bloodstream, causing an increase in its concentration in the blood. Therefore, changes in alanine aminotransferase levels can reflect the degree of liver cell damage.
However, elevated alanine aminotransferase levels do not necessarily indicate liver disease. Factors such as alcohol consumption and fatigue can also cause temporary increases in alanine aminotransferase levels. Therefore, when evaluating abnormal alanine aminotransferase levels, a comprehensive assessment combining other indicators and clinical symptoms is necessary.
When elevated alanine aminotransferase levels are detected, timely medical consultation and identification of the underlying cause are essential to facilitate appropriate treatment and management.
