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Alphabetical Index
ALANINE AMINOTRANSFERASE (8000100116)
Test Mnemonic:

ALT
Specimen Requirements:
Collection:

Serum separator tube (SST) (Preferred), Plasma separator tube (PST) or red stopped vacutainer tube.

 
Minimum Volume:

3 mL of blood
Storage/Transport:

Delivered to Sample Management within 2 hours of collection.
Stability:

Room temperature for ≤3 days; Refrigerated for ≤1 week; Do not store frozen.
Causes for Rejection:

 Incomplete and/or incorrect sample identification, improper storage/transport, gross hemolysis.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
Specimen Preparation:

Allow specimen to clot completely at room temperature. Centrifuge to separate serum from cells within 2 hours of collection. Transfer serum from red-topped tube to labeled plastic transport tube. 
Methodology:

Enzymatic, Multi-point Rate  
Performed:

Clinical Chemistry
Turnaround Time:

Routine: 8 hours; ASAP: 4 hours; STAT: 1 hour
Reference Range:
CPT 4 Code:

84460    
Clinical Indication:

Alanine aminotransferase is present in high concentration in liver, skeletal muscle, heart, and kidney. Serum ALT increases rapidly in liver cell necrosis, hepatitis, hepatic cirrhosis, liver tumors, obstructive jaundice, Reye’s syndrome, extensive trauma to skeletal muscle, myositis, myocarditis, and myocardial infarction.     
Effective Date: 05/29/2015
Reviewed By/Date: Okorodudu, Anthony - 05/14/2019
Approved By/Date: Okorodudu, Anthony - 12/20/2022
When ordering tests for which Medicare or Medicaid reimbursement will be sought, physicians should only order tests that are medically necessary for the diagnosis or treatment of the patient. Components of the organ or disease panels may be ordered individually. The diagnostic information must substantiate all tests ordered and must be in the form of an ICD-10 code or its verbal equivalent.

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