Liver panel
ALT
Also called Alanine aminotransferase · measured in U/L
What it measures
A liver enzyme released when hepatocytes are stressed or damaged.
Why it is tracked
Establishes a liver baseline before therapy and detects change during it. Mild elevation is common in metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease, which frequently accompanies insulin resistance.
What a provider considers
- Raised by fatty liver, alcohol, medication and intense exercise
- Interpreted with AST and the AST/ALT ratio
- A baseline matters more than a single value
Reference ranges vary between laboratories and a single result rarely means much on its own. Interpretation depends on your symptoms, your other markers and the trend over time — which is what your provider reviews.