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HelpTest Code ALT Alanine Amino Transferase
Useful For
Alanine aminotransferase measurements are used in the diagnosis and treatment of certain liver diseases (e.g. viral hepatitis and cirrhosis) and heart diseases. In viral hepatitis and other forms of liver disease associated with hepatic necrosis, serum ALT levels are elevated even before clinical signs and symptoms of the disease.
Synonyms/Keywords
SGPT, Alanine Amino Transaminase
Specimen Requirements
| Fasting Required | Specimen Type |
Preferred Container/Tube | Acceptable Container/Tube | Specimen Volume | Specimen Minimum Volume (allows for 1 repeat) |
Pediatric Minimum Volume (no repeat) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No | Plasma/Serum | Lithium-heparin Plasma Separator (PST), Serum Separator Tube (SST) | Lithium or Sodium-heparin Green Top (GTT), Red Top Tube (RTT) | 1 mL | 0.5 mL | 0.6 mL whole blood |
Collection/Processing Instructions
Samples collected in a RTT or GTT must be removed from the clot within one hour for storage or transport.
Samples collected in gel barrier tubes must be removed from the primary tube prior to transporting to Marshfield.
Do not send the primary collection tube.
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Serum/Plasma | Ambient | 5 days |
| Refrigerate | 7 days | |
| Frozen | 3 months |
Rejection Criteria
Samples collected with EDTA, potassium oxalate/sodium fluoride
Interferences
Sulfasalazine may interfere with ALT assays and cause falsely depressed results.
For patients receiving treatment, venipuncture should occur prior to drug administration to prevent this interference.
Reference Range Information
| Performing Location | Reference Range |
|---|---|
| All Performing Sites using Dimension Analyzers |
Male: 12-70 IU/L Female: 7-55 IU/L |
| All Performing Sites using Beckman AU Analyzers |
<1yr: 6 - 30 U/L 1 - 12 yr: 9 - 23 U/L Male: ≥19 yr: 8 - 52 U/L Female: ≥19 yr: 7 - 38 U/L |
Marshfield Labs Performing Department
Marshfield Labs Chemistry
Performing Information
| Performing Location | Day(s) Test Performed | Analytical Time | Methodology/Instrumentation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beaver Dam | Monday through Friday | Less than 2 hours | (IFCC), UV/NADH, Rate Assay/Beckman AU |
| Chippewa Falls | Monday through Friday | Less than 2 hours | (IFCC), UV/NADH, Rate Assay/Beckman AU |
| Weston | Monday through Sunday | Less than 2 hours | (IFCC), UV/NADH, Rate Assay/Beckman AU |
| Eau Claire | Monday through Sunday | Less than 2 hours | (IFCC), UV/NADH, Rate Assay/Beckman AU |
| Park Falls | Monday through Sunday | Less than 2 hours | (IFCC), UV/NADH, Rate Assay/Beckman AU |
| Ladysmith | Monday through Sunday | Less than 2 hours | (IFCC), UV/NADH, Rate Assay/Beckman AU |
| Rice Lake | Monday through Sunday | Less than 2 hours | (IFCC), UV/NADH, Rate Assay/Beckman AU |
| Marshfield | Monday through Sunday | Less than 2 hours | (IFCC), UV/NADH, Rate Assay/Beckman AU |
| Minocqua | Monday through Sunday | Less than 2 hours | (IFCC), UV/NADH, Rate Assay/Beckman AU |
| Neillsville | Monday through Sunday | Less than 2 hours | (IFCC), UV/NADH, Rate Assay/Beckman AU |
| Stevens Point | Monday through Sunday | Less than 2 hours | (IFCC), UV/NADH, Rate Assay/Beckman AU |
| Wisconsin Rapids | Monday through Friday | Less than 2 hours | Biochromatic Rate Technique/Siemens Dimension |
CPT Codes
| CPT | Modifier (if needed) |
Quantity | Description | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 84460 | 1 |
Outreach CPT Codes
| CPT | Modifier (if needed) |
Quantity | Description | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 84460 | 1 |
Ordering Applications
| Ordering Application | Description |
|---|---|
| Cerner | Alanine Amino Transferase |