The University of Iowa (UIHC)
Department of Pathology
LABORATORY SERVICES HANDBOOK


Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT)
Order Code: ALT
Order Form: A-1a General Lab or IPR Req
  Chemistry
6240 RCP
356-3527
Specimen
Plasma
Collection Medium:
Plasma separator tube
Alternate
Collection Media:
Call laboratory for additional acceptable specimen collection 
containers.
Minimum:
2 mL; light green top or 1 microtube for pediatric patients
Testing Schedule:
24 hrs/day, 7 days a week, including holidays.
Analytic Time:
1 hour (upon receipt in laboratory)
Reference Range:
Males 0-35 u/l; females 0-20 u/l
Test
Limitations:
Criterion: Recovery within plus or minus 10% of initial value.

Icterus: No significant interference up to an I index of 60 for 
conjugated and unconjugated bilirubin (approximate conjugated and 
unconjugated bilirubin concentration: 60 mg/dL).

Hemolysis: No significant interference up to an H index of 200.  RBC 
contamination may elevate results.

Lipemia (Intralipid): No significant interference up to an L index of 
500 (approximate triglycerides concentration: 1000 mg/dL). There is 
poor correlation between turbidity and triglycerides concentration. 
Lipemia may cause absorbance flagging as a result of an absorbance 
increase.

Reference
Glick MR, Ryder KW, Jackson SA. Graphical Comparisons of Interferences 
in Clinical Chemistry Instrumentation. Clin Chem 1986;32:470-474.
Methodology:
Enzymatic
CPT Code:
84460

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Updated: 08/22/2008

Note: The information contained in this handbook is for use by personnel of University of Iowa Health Care. No other use is implied or intended.