Alkaline Transaminase (ALT)
This is a blood test that is part of our liver panel. It is released predominantly by injured hepatocytes (cells of the liver), making it usually more prone to be seen in hepatitis. PBC is primarily a disease of the bile duct cells (biliary epithelial cells). The ALT can also be elevated in overlap as well as Urso non responders.
It can also occur with certain drugs like rifampicin. The ALT is then used as a safety measure when a patient is taking rifamicin.