Jay N. Yepuri, MD, MS, FACG, is a board-certified gastroenterologist and member of the Digestive Health Associates of Texas Board of Directors and Executive Committee. A liver function test checks how ...

The liver makes several enzymes to help function, including alanine aminotransferase, or ALT. Doctors can measure levels of ALT in the blood to help diagnose various liver conditions. Besides helping ...

What Is an ALT Blood Test? The alanine aminotransferase (ALT) test is a blood test that checks for liver damage. ALT used to be called serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (SGPT). Your doctor can use ...

An AST blood test measures levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and helps determine liver function. Less than 40 IU/L is normal, but too much of this enzyme can indicate a problem, such as liver ...

Liver enzymes are proteins in your liver that speed up chemical reactions. If your liver is damaged, blood tests will show abnormally high levels of these enzymes circulating in your bloodstream.

Mark Gurarie is a writer covering health topics, technology, music, books, and culture. He also teaches health science and research writing at George Washington University's School of Medical and ...