A doctor usually requests an ALT test with other laboratory investigations to evaluate a patient who has symptoms of a liver disorder. ALT is used to identify liver damage. Some of these symptoms include jaundice, dark urine, nausea, vomiting, abdominal swelling, unusual weight gain and abdominal pain. ALT can also be used, either by itself or with other tests, for patients at risk of developing liver disease such as: persons who have a history of known or possible exposure to hepatitis viruses those who drink too much alcohol those whose family have a history of liver disease people who take drugs that might damage the liver those who are overweight or who have diabetesIn people with mild symptoms, such as tiredness or loss of energy, ALT may be tested to make sure they do not have chronic (long-term) liver disease. ALT is often used to monitor the treatment of persons who have liver disease to see if the treatment is working and may be requested either by itself or along with other blood tests.
