Aminotransferase Levels, Elevated

Douglas J. Ivins and Judith A. Fisher

Approach

Serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST or SGOT) or alanine aminotransferase (ALT or SGPT) can be elevated in a wide variety of liver diseases. A normal AST is 8 to 26 U/L. A normal ALT is 4 to 46 U/L. When evaluating elevated ALT or AST levels, it is important to know the reason behind ordering the test (1–4) (Table 17.2).

Elevated ALT and AST levels can also be seen in myocardial infarctions, hemolytic anemia, after trauma, and intramuscular injections.

References

1. Jacobs D. Laboratory test handbook, 3rd ed. Hudson, OH: Lexi-Comp, Inc., 1994:
100–101, 135–137.

2. Mezey E. Diseases of the liver. In: Barker RL, ed. Principles of ambulatory medicine, 4th ed. Baltimore, MD: Williams & Wilkins, 1995:507–517.

3. Pincus M, Schaffner J. Assessment of liver function. In: Henry J, ed. Clinical diagnosis and management by laboratory methods, 4th ed. Philadelphia: WB Saunders, 1996:253–267.

4. Wallach J. Interpretation of diagnostic tests, 6th ed. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1996:57–59.

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Book Source Details

• Book Title: The 10-Minute Diagnosis Manual: Symptoms and Signs in the Time-Limited Encounter
• Author(s): Robert B. Taylor (editor)
• Year of Publication: 2000
• Copyright Details: The 10-Minute Diagnosis Manual: Symptoms and Signs in the Time-Limited Encounter, Copyright © 2000 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

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More About This Book: Title: The 10-Minute Diagnosis Manual: Symptoms and Signs in the Time-Limited Encounter Authors: Robert B. Taylor (editor) Publisher: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Copyright: 2000 ISBN: 0-78172-094-X

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