Final answer:
In laboratory values, ALT stands for Alanine aminotransferase, an enzyme important for diagnosing acute liver damage. The normal range for ALT is 5-15 IU/litre. It is not specific to the liver as it is also present in other tissues.
Step-by-step explanation:
ALT in Laboratory Values
In laboratory values, ALT stands for Alanine aminotransferase. This enzyme catalyzes the transfer of an amino group from alanine to alpha-ketoglutarate, resulting in the formation of pyruvate and glutamate. The reference range for ALT is typically 5-15 IU/litre. ALT is significant in medical diagnostics because its level rises dramatically in cases of acute liver damage, but it can also be found in red cells and cardiac and skeletal muscles. Thus, the AST to ALT ratio can be beneficial in differentiating between various causes of liver injury.
An increase in ALT levels could indicate issues such as viral hepatitis or damage from an overdose of drugs like paracetamol (acetaminophen). Whereas Aspartate aminotransferase (AST or SGOT), Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and Amylase are different enzymes that have their functions and diagnostic implications in assessing liver function and other bodily processes.