ALT and AST- what do they mean?

This is another in the series on Liver Function tests I have produced to help me clear the fog and therefore help you. What are transaminases and what do they do. What does it mean when they are abnormal?

I go into all of this in bite size viewing.

I have produced the Guidelines for the management of tracheal intubation in critically ill adults as a set of infographics which you can have for free from here-


I have more resources for you to look at on my website at:


You can also access my podcasts in iTunes 'Critical Care Practitioner'

[achekholbeckal]

Thank You 🎉 I need this as my blood test reading shows two times than normal

[kennicheassia]

Atorvaststin ..lipitor.. can also derange the liver just coming out from acute hepatic injury! my ALT and AST were up the roof!

[romanvssvmromania]

My alt is 124 and my ast is 118. The blood test was taken a week ago. Before the blood tests, after simple abdominal ultrasound, I was diagnosed with NAFLD. I also am grade 1 obese, at the limit with overweight. I will go for further investigation this week.
The doctors said the ast, alt should have been lower in this condition. I did take Paracetamol/Nurofen and got to the gym the weeks before the blood test. I stopped the heavy workout at this time.

[Heyitzpuppies]

My ALT is 8.0 IU/L and says abnormal on my results

[vanessarenda]

Are these tests reliable? I read on- line that a person can have liver disease with normal liver tests. Also how reliable is the GGT test to diagnose liver disease or pancreas cancer?

[deucegangsta]

My ast is 117 and my alt is 183 . My creatine and Bun is slightly elevated also. . I was diagnosed with fatty liver disease, three years ago but I’ve also lost 200 pounds since then and all of my labs have been within range till now. Any info would be great

[cyanoko]

Thanks doc. Is AST 52 and ALT 20 dangerous? I don't drink alcohol. Other labs are within normal limit.

[brentpope]

Can you answer a question I never get a reply for, when we talk about ratios, are these only relevant when they are above normal? ie You could have normal levels ie AST 28, Alt 20, both are good levels but the ratio could indicate end stage liver disease? could you explain?

[shawnb]

How long it takes to lower AST from 200 to normal after quitting alcohol and switch to a better diet??? please

[Brumstarz]

Where I live a normal ALT is 0-41. In May 2022 mine was at 48. This May 2023 it was 55. Do I need a liver ultrasound? Here the normal range for Albumin Creatine Ratio is 0-20. In May 2022 mine was 30. This May 2023 it was 95. In August 2023 it was 127. I see a lot of bubbles in my urine. Doctor prescribing Metformin for elevated blood sugar. Will Metformin help to bring my numbers down and lessen the bubbles?

[davidboyd]

Thanks for the video, I have had 2 tests over 2 years, test 1 was 79 and test 2 was 77, at different labs, all other liver tests were in the green, just ALT in the red, what do you recommend? Thanks

[brian]

I wish he would’ve actually given us the normal range numbers so that we have something to gauge his commentary by. Otherwise this is a great video, as usual 👍

[charitaborgonia]

My analysis in AST showed 177 what are d possible medications to lower it

[us.adrian]

Hello! what does it mean if you have alt and ast low? In the analysis, sometimes both come out low, another 7 and this 7 is really strange that they are low

[rico]

All of you Doctors only seem to understand what it means to have elevated ALT and AST, but have no idea what it means to have low levels too low. Doesn't the proper function of your body also depends on the proper amount of these enzymes. Obviously if ALT is too low then the protein conversions are not going to happen. Correct? WHY IS THIS NOT IMPORTANT?

[hashimmanzoor]

25 year old male got my blood work done today.. ALT value is 1162 and AST value is 339 .. considering these insane values.. am i going to die now ..