Alanine aminotransferase (ALT)

Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) is an enzyme found mainly in the liver that helps process amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins. When liver cells are damaged or inflamed, ALT is released into the bloodstream. Therefore, measuring ALT levels via a blood test can provide information about liver health. Elevated ALT levels may indicate liver issues like hepatitis, fatty liver, or other liver conditions. However, ALT levels alone do not diagnose a specific disease but are useful as part of a broader assessment of liver function.