Liver enzymes ast and alt

AST and ALT (aminotransferase), AST and ALT are known collectively as transaminases. Are associated with inflammation and / or damage to liver cells, a condition known as hepatocellular liver injury. Liver damage, usually by a leakage of ALT and AST into the bloodstream. Since AST is found in many other organs, with the exception of the liver, kidney, including muscle and heart, which show a high level of AST is not always (often) that liver. For example, that vigorous exercise also raise AST levels in the body. On the other hand, because ALT is mainly in the liver, high levels of ALT were almost always show that there is a problem with your liver. Recognize Despite what one can expect a high level of transaminases in the blood is not always how badly the liver is inflamed or damaged. This is a very important point to remember. Normal range for AST and ALT are by 0 to 40 IU / L and 0 to 45 U / l, respectively. (IU / L stands for international units per liter and is most commonly accepted way to measure these specific enzymes.) The reason is that these blood tests measure inflammation and liver damage in rare moment. For example, if the inflammation of the liver in the day, which was created in the blood, we say, if the patient consumed alcoholic beverages produced a few hours before blood transaminase levels are exceeded, much higher than if the alcohol was consumed. Replace other issues there are many other factors, in addition to liver damage, which could affect the values of AST and ALT. For example, men have transaminases higher than in women. A, African-American men have a higher AST with Caucasian men. Even the time of the day, blood sampling may influence the level of aminotransferase. People seem to higher levels of transaminases in the morning and afternoon to night have. Thus, a level not significantly during the fasting and non-ver-fasting. Finally, the level of transaminases may differ day to day. The ratio of ALT and AST may also provide useful information about the extent and causes of liver disease. Most liver diseases are characterized by a rise in ALT to more than the increase in AST.