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Health Check

ALAT (ALT) – Liver value

ALAT is a liver test that rises when liver cells are damaged. It is used to detect fatty liver, drug impact, high alcohol consumption, and virus-induced liver inflammation.

What is ALAT (ALT)?

ALAT (alanine aminotransferase) is an enzyme found in high concentrations in liver cells. When cells are damaged, the enzyme leaks into the blood and the value rises.

Why is ALAT (ALT) measured in a health check?

Liver impact rarely causes symptoms until it has progressed far. ALAT is therefore included in most health checks, often along with ASAT, ALP, bilirubin, and GT.

High and low values

High value: Elevated ALAT is seen in fatty liver, alcohol consumption, certain medications and herbal remedies, viral hepatitis, and after very hard training. Moderate elevations are common and are usually followed up with a new test.

Low value: Low values lack clinical significance.

Reference ranges differ between laboratories, sexes and ages and are stated in your result. The information here does not replace medical assessment.

How the liver marker is measured in a health check

ALT is an enzyme found in high concentrations in liver cells and leaks into the blood when the cells are affected. The test is taken in a standard blood draw with no fasting required, but since liver values are often included in packages with blood lipids and glucose, the whole health check is in many cases still done fasting.

Intense strength training or a long endurance session in the days before the test can raise ALT and especially AST, since these enzymes are also found in muscle. Alcohol in the preceding days also has an effect. Avoid hard exercise and alcohol for two to three days before the test if you want a value that reflects the liver at rest.

What can lie behind elevated liver values

A slightly elevated ALT is common and doesn't necessarily mean liver disease, but it shouldn't be ignored either. The most common explanations in otherwise healthy people are lifestyle-related.

  • Fatty liver linked to excess weight, insulin resistance or high sugar intake
  • Alcohol, both regular intake and occasional large amounts
  • Medications, for example high doses of paracetamol, certain antibiotics and statins
  • Viral infections, including common viruses and hepatitis
  • Dietary supplements and herbal remedies, which can burden the liver
  • Recent hard exercise

Liver values are interpreted as a group

ALT is assessed together with AST, GGT, ALP and bilirubin. The pattern says more than individual values: a dominant rise in ALT points to effects on the liver cells themselves, while elevated ALP and bilirubin point more towards the bile ducts. Elevated GGT together with ALT can suggest alcohol-related effects or fatty liver.

This is exactly why many broad health checks include the whole liver panel. An isolated, slightly elevated ALT is usually rechecked after a few weeks with reduced alcohol, a pause from supplements and no hard exercise beforehand — if the value normalises, nothing further is usually needed.

When you should seek medical care

Markedly elevated values, persistent elevation on repeat testing, or elevation together with yellowing of the eyes, itching, dark urine, pale stools or pain under the right rib cage should be assessed by a doctor. The same applies if you also have high HbA1c and high blood lipids, since this combination suggests metabolic impact on the liver that's worth taking seriously early on.

Frequently asked questions about ALAT (ALT)

What does elevated ALAT mean?

Elevated ALAT means liver cells are leaking the enzyme, usually due to fatty liver, alcohol, medication, or a viral infection. A single slightly elevated value is usually followed up with a new test.

Can exercise affect liver values?

Yes. Hard strength training or long endurance sessions can temporarily raise ALAT and ASAT. Therefore, avoid intense exercise the day before testing.

Which tests complement ALAT?

ASAT, ALP, bilirubin, and albumin together provide a picture of liver function, and CDT is used when the question concerns alcohol consumption over time.

Can exercise raise ALT?

Yes. The enzyme is also found in muscle, so hard strength training or a long session can raise the value for a few days. Rest for two to three days before the test for a fair result.

How quickly do liver values normalise after stopping alcohol?

With mild alcohol-related effects, values often drop noticeably within two to four weeks. GGT usually takes longest to fall.

Are liver values included in a standard health check with a blood test?

ALT is included in most broad health checks, usually together with AST, GGT, ALP and bilirubin, so the whole pattern can be assessed. Which tests include the marker is listed further down the page.

Health checks that include ALAT (ALT)

ALAT (ALT) is included in 7 of Labkollen's health checks. Analysis name in the result: ALAT.

  • Man +

    49 markers

    Labkollens mest omfattande kontroll för män – inklusive testosteron, PSA och hjärt-kärlmarkörer.

    2 195 krMed prenumeration (årlig hälsokontroll): 1 756 kr

    See the test

  • Kvinna +

    44 markers

    Labkollens mest omfattande kontroll för kvinnor – inklusive järnstatus, sköldkörtel och hormoner.

    2 195 krMed prenumeration (årlig hälsokontroll): 1 756 kr

    See the test

  • Standard

    37 markers

    Bred hälsokontroll över blodsocker, blodfetter, blodvärde, lever, njurar, sköldkörtel och vitaminer.

    1 895 krMed prenumeration (årlig hälsokontroll): 1 516 kr

    See the test

  • Seniorkollen

    32 markers

    Anpassad kontroll för dig över 65 med fokus på hjärta, njurar, sköldkörtel och näringsstatus.

    1 399 krMed prenumeration (årlig hälsokontroll): 1 119 kr

    See the test

  • Gravid

    26 markers

    Kontroll under graviditet – blodvärde, järn, sköldkörtel, vitaminer och hCG.

    1 199 krMed prenumeration (årlig hälsokontroll): 959 kr

    See the test

  • Styrkesport

    15 markers

    För styrketräning – hormoner, muskelmarkörer, lever och mineraler.

    1 599 krMed prenumeration (årlig hälsokontroll): 1 279 kr

    See the test

  • Riskbruk/alkohol

    10 markers

    Levervärden och CDT för att följa hur alkoholvanor påverkar kroppen.

    899 krMed prenumeration (årlig hälsokontroll): 719 kr

    See the test

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Guides covering ALAT (ALT)

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Responsible for the content: Mathias Khemiri, Oftamed Sverige AB.

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