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Test Name ALT Alanine aminotransferase

Specimen Requirements

Preparation of Patient: 

None

 

Container Type: 

Gold Top 6mL SST Gel & Clot Activator Tube

Or

 

Green Top 5mL Lithium Heparin Separator Tube

 

Specimen Type:

Serum or Plasma

 

Specimen Volume: 

2.5 mL Serum or Plasma

minimum .5 mL of Serum or Plasma

 

Specimen Handling/Transport:

Separate serum or plasma  from cells within 2 hours of collection.

Transport ambient room temperature.

 

Specimen Stability/Storage:

5 days refrigerated 2-8°C

Performing Laboratory

Munson Healthcare Laboratories

Priority, Frequency, & Turnaround

Priority:

STAT, ASAP, Non-Emergent

 

Frequency:

24 hours 7 days a week

 

Turnaround:

0 - 1 days

STAT 60 minute from receipt in lab

Methodology

Enzymatic Rate Reaction L-alanine to pyruvate

Reporting

Reference Range:

Males: 7-55 U/L

Females: 7-38 U/L

 

Linearity Range:

3 - 10,000 U/L

 

Critical Decision: 

Pediatric patients up to 21 years old ≥ 150 IU/L

Note:  Critical values are called to the provider and communicated as critical.  Documentation of the call is recorded in the patient record.

Clinical Significance

Significant elevations of ALT occur only in disease of the liver.  ALT is often measured in conjunction with AST to determine whether the source of elevated AST is liver or the heart.

CPT Code(s)

84460