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Understanding Your Liver Test: AST, ALT & ALP

The liver function test is one of the most common blood tests used to measure the levels of different types of enzymes and proteins in the blood. This test can help to assess the state of one´s liver health, identify a liver disease, monitor the success of liver disease treatment, or keep an eye on the side effects of certain medications. When it comes to liver health, the alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and are considered the most crucial liver enzymes used to identify an underlying liver disease. This week, we´ll talk about how to understand your liver function test results and look closer at the most common liver enzymes and proteins. Today in particular, we´ll start off by explaining the ALP, ALT, and AST enzymes.

ALP ALT AST

ALP

AL (= Alkaline Phosphatase) is an enzyme that is highly concentrated in the liver, bones, kidney, and digestive tract, but can be also found in other organs throughoit the body. When the cells are damaged, they release ALP enzymes into the bloodstream causing ALP levels to rise.

Normal Range: 40 to 129 U/L (Source: Mayo Clinic).

ALT

ALT (= Alanine aminotransferase) is an amino acid that helps the liver metabolize protein and convert food into energy. Primarily localized in liver cells, however, can be also found in kidney, heart or muscle cells. Usually present in blood at low levels. When liver cells are damaged, they release ALT into the bloodstream causing ALT enzymes to rise.

Normal Range: 7 to 55 units per liter (U/L).

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AST

AST (=Aspartate transaminase) is an important enzyme in amino acid metabolism helping the liver convert food into energy. Usually present in blood at low levels. Abnormalities in AST levels could result not only from liver problems, but also could come from problems in different organs. When liver cells are damaged, AST leaks out of the liver cells into the bloodstream and the level of AST becomes higher than normal.

Normal Range: 8 to 48 U/L (Source: Mayo Clinic).

Important: If your liver function test has shown any abnormalities in protein and enzyme levels, please talk to your physician to identify the underlying causes.