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Labs determine 'normal range' by surveying the people using that lab. For my lab, normal ALT is 6-34 and normal AST is 9-34. ALT is made in the liver so high levels indicate it is being leaked out of damaged liver cells into the bloodstream.
ALT is measured to see if the liver is damaged or diseased. Low levels of ALT are normally found in the blood. But when the liver is damaged or diseased, it releases ALT into the bloodstream, which makes ALT levels go up. Most increases in ALT levels are caused by liver damage.The ALT test is often done along with other tests that check for liver damage, including aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and bilirubin.Both ALT and AST levels are reliable tests for liver damage.ost increases in ALT levels are caused by liver damage. The ALT test is often done along with other tests that check for liver damage, including aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and bilirubin.