Purposes of an ALT Test
Doctors typically perform an ALT test to determine if people have liver failure or injury. It can be done when you show some signs of liver problems. These include vomiting, nausea, dark urine, pain around the right upper area of the abdomen, and jaundice, which causes yellow skin or eyes. While the results may help detect possible damage in the liver, it cannot reveal how severe it is. An ALT test is typically performed with other tests to measure liver enzymes for better interpretations. It can also be part of a regular health checkup, especially in those with a family history of liver issues, diabetes, hepatitis, heavy alcohol consumption, and those who are taking certain drugs.
Other uses of an ALT test include:
– To assess the progression of treatment
– To evaluate whether to start treatment for a liver condition
– To keep track of the progression of liver conditions, such as liver failure or hepatitis [2]
