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A member asked:
What is alt & ast and what does it do? test results from my blood work came back and these two results were doubled the norm and i would like to know what that means.
2 doctors weighed in across 2 answers
ALT : Alt (alanine aminotransferase) and ast (aspartate aminotransferase) are enzymes found predominantly in liver cells that leak out when there is liver cell damage. Alt is pretty specific to the liver even though small amounts of alt can be found in heart, kidney, and skeletal muscle. Ast can be elevated after a myocardial infarction (heart attack), and during pancreatitis, hemolytic anemia, severe burns, acute renal disease, musculoskeletal diseases, and trauma - it is pretty non-specific. Talk to your doctor about why your tests may be mildly abnormal (doubled from the norm is pretty mild). Various medications, infections, or other illnesses can cause elevated liver enzymes.
Answered 10/30/2018
5.3k views
Liver cells: Elevated liver enzymes indicate damage to liver cells. It could from alcohol, medication you take, or viral infection. If you drink alcohol, stop entirely and consult your doctor about retesting in three months.
Answered 10/30/2018
255 views
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