Wednesday Word

[DonnaBoll]

ALT - Alanine Transaminase

This is a blood test performed as part of your routine liver panel test. It is released more so by the hepatocytes -(liver cells) so it's associated more with hepatitis rather than PBC. ALT can be elevated in both non responders to Urso and overlap diseases. When the ALT is significantly elevated, it always warrants investigation by your doctor. It can also occur from toxic effects of some drugs (i.e. Rifampicin). ALT needs to be monitored closely and used as a safety test of sorts when taking such drugs like this.