Blood what is alt

Pratt DS. Liver chemistry and function tests. Reviewed by: David C. Editorial team. How the Test is Performed A blood sample is needed. How to Prepare for the Test No special preparation is needed. How the Test will Feel When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain.

Injury to the liver results in release of ALT into the blood. An increased ALT level may be due to any of the following: Scarring of the liver cirrhosis Death of liver tissue Swollen and inflamed liver hepatitis Too much iron in the body hemochromatosis Too much fat in the liver fatty liver Lack of blood flow to the liver liver ischemia Liver tumor or cancer Use of drugs that are toxic to the liver Mononucleosis "mono" Swollen and inflamed pancreas pancreatitis.

Risks There is little risk involved with having your blood taken. Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight, but may include: Excessive bleeding Fainting or feeling lightheaded Multiple punctures to locate veins Hematoma blood collecting under the skin Infection a slight risk any time the skin is broken.

Some medications may affect the levels of ALT in your blood. Your doctor might tell you to avoid taking certain medications for a period of time before the test. An ALT is a simple blood test with few risks. Bruising can sometimes occur in the area where the needle was inserted. The risk of bruising can be minimized by applying pressure to the injection site for several minutes after the needle is removed.

This value can vary depending on the lab. This range can be affected by certain factors, including sex and age. Higher-than-normal levels of ALT can indicate liver damage. Increased levels of ALT may be a result of:. Most lower ALT results indicate a healthy liver.

However, studies have shown that lower-than-normal results have been related to increased long-term mortality. If your test results indicate liver damage or disease, you may need more testing to determine the underlying cause of the problem and the best way to treat it. Liver function tests help screen for problems such as infections, scarring, and disorders.

They're also used if you start experiencing symptoms of a…. Hepatic failure, also known as liver failure, can be a silent killer. Cirrhosis is the severe scarring and poor function of the liver caused by long-term exposure to toxins such as alcohol or viral infections.

Damage to the liver from excessive drinking can lead to ARLD. Years of alcohol abuse cause the liver to become inflamed and swollen. Learn about liver cancer symptoms, types, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. The liver produces and clears cholesterol in the body. To do that, a health professional will:. In babies, blood draws are sometimes done as a "heel stick collection. Collecting a sample of blood is only temporarily uncomfortable and can feel like a quick pinprick.

Parents usually can stay with their child during a blood test. Encourage your child to relax and stay still because tensing muscles can make it harder to draw blood. Your child might want to look away when the needle is inserted and the blood is collected. Help your child to relax by taking slow deep breaths or singing a favorite song. Most blood tests take just a few minutes.

Occasionally, it can be hard to find a vein, so the health professional may need to try more than once. The health professional will remove the elastic band and the needle and cover the area with cotton or a bandage to stop the bleeding. Afterward, there may be some mild bruising, which should go away in a few days.