Liver transaminase enzyme
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High-quality testing run in a CLIA-certified and CAP-accredited lab in Santa Clara, California.
About ALT
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About ALT
Overview and History
ALT belongs to the aminotransferase family of enzymes and catalyzes the transfer of an amino group from alanine to α-ketoglutarate, producing pyruvate and glutamate. It is abundant inside hepatocytes and present at lower levels in muscle and other tissues, reflecting its role in amino acid and energy metabolism.
Clinically, ALT has been used for decades as a laboratory indicator of hepatocellular activity. Because ALT is largely intracellular, changes in circulating levels usually reflect shifts in cellular integrity, metabolic load, or tissue turnover rather than being a direct measure of function alone.
Interpreting Highs and Lows
Higher-than-usual ALT values are commonly associated with increased liver cell stress or injury, heightened metabolic strain, effects of medications or toxins, rapid muscle breakdown, or systemic inflammatory responses. Lower-than-usual ALT values can be seen with lower muscle mass, nutrient cofactor limitations that affect enzyme activity, older age, or situations where enzyme production is reduced. Interpretation of high or low ALT is most meaningful when considered alongside other markers in the Foundation Zoomer to reveal broader organ, metabolic, or inflammatory patterns.
Featured Test
ALT is part of the Foundation Zoomer Organ Function domain to flag shifts in liver-linked cellular activity. Combined with metabolic, inflammatory, and nutrient markers, ALT helps clinicians identify patterns of organ stress, metabolic imbalance, or exposure effects, supporting more targeted follow-up and personalized care planning.
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Mary Beth Augustine
DCN, RDN, FAND- Lead Clinical Educator
Suzanne Barker
MS, RDN, LD, CTTS, CGP- Clinical Educator
Suzette Garcia
MSc- MHNE- Clinical Educator
Brooke Mader Ganev
MS, CNS, LDN, FDN- Clinical Educator
Adair Anderson
MS, RDN, LDN- Clinical Educator
Lillie Luu Nguyen
DCN, CNS, LDN- Clinical Educator
Jason Barker
ND- Clinical Educator
Emaline Brown
ND- Clinical Educator
Dana Filatova
DCN, CNS, LDN- Clinical Educator
Jessy Dhanjal
ND- Clinical Educator
Nour Amri
MS, LDN, CNS, CKNS- Clinical Educator
