If your AST or ALT blood levels were elevated at one time or now, please share your experience with diagnosis of the cause and treatments.
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/liver_blood_tests/page3_em.htm
Although serum levels of both aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and ALT become elevated whenever disease processes affect liver cell integrity, ALT is a more liver-specific enzyme. Serum elevations of ALT are rarely observed in conditions other than parenchymal liver disease. Moreover, the elevation of ALT activity persists longer than does AST activity.
http://www.mayomedicallaboratories.com/test-catalog/Clinical+and+Interpretive/8362
Waived Status Approved forthe Cholestech ALT Test Cholestech received approval forwaived status for the ALT test on4/13/01. The Cholestech ALT test isthe first ALT test to receive waivedstatus. The ALT test is only waived forthe testing of capillary (fingerstick) orvenous whole blood. If you use serumfor ALT testing you will be classified asmoderately complex.
http://www.hmscweb.com/PDF_Files/Cholestech/Technical_Bulletin_LDX_-_ALT(GPT).pdf
A. AST (SGOT) and ALT (SGPT) are sensitive indicators of liver damage or injury from different types of diseases. But it must be emphasized that higher-than-normal levels of these liver enzymes should not be automatically equated with liver disease. They may mean liver problems or they may not.
http://answers.webmd.com/answers/1171047/what-do-elevated-ast-and-alt-liver-enzymes-mean
In viralhepatitis, and other forms of liverdisease or damage, levels of serumALT may be elevated even beforeclinical signs and symptoms of thedisease, such as jaundice, appear.ALT is also normally present in humanplasma, bile, cerebrospinal fluid andsaliva. ALT is not found in the urineunless a kidney lesion is present.
http://www.hmscweb.com/PDF_Files/Cholestech/Technical_Bulletin_LDX_-_ALT(GPT).pdf
For example, elevations of these enzymes can occur with muscle damage. The interpretation of elevated AST and ALT levels depends upon the entire clinical evaluation of an individual, and so it is best done by physicians experienced in evaluating liver disease and muscle disease.
http://answers.webmd.com/answers/1171047/what-do-elevated-ast-and-alt-liver-enzymes-mean
Cautions Discusses conditions that may cause diagnostic confusion, including improper specimen collection and handling, inappropriate test selection, and interfering substances. Pyridoxal phosphate is a cofactor in the reaction and must be present for optimal enzyme activity.
http://www.mayomedicallaboratories.com/test-catalog/Clinical+and+Interpretive/8362
An alanine aminotransferase (ALT) test measures the level of ALT enzyme in your blood. ALT is an enzyme produced by liver cells. It helps the body metabolize proteins. If the liver is damaged or not functioning properly, ALT is released into the blood. This causes ALT levels to increase. The alanine aminotransferase (ALT) test is used to evaluate liver function. The test is also known as a serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT) test or alanine transaminase test.
http://www.healthline.com/health/alt
Diagnosis and monitoring of liver disease associated with hepatic necrosis. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) is present primarily in liver cells. In viral hepatitis and other forms of liver disease associated with hepatic necrosis, serum ALT is elevated even before the clinical signs and symptoms of the disease appear.
http://www.mayomedicallaboratories.com/test-catalog/Clinical+and+Interpretive/8362
1 Acetaminophen (Tylenol or other medications with a Tylenol component, such as Vicodin). 2  Some pain medications, or example, diclofenac (Voltaren) and naproxen (Naprosyn, Anaprox, Aleve, Naprelen). 3  Cholesterol-lowering medications, statins, for example, atorvastatin (Lipitor) and simvastatin (Zocor).
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/liver_blood_tests/page3_em.htm
what is enzyme alt
ALT is an enzyme produced by liver cells. Alanine transaminase is an enzyme produced by liver cells.