What is the full form of SGPT?
SGPT: Serum Glutamic Pyruvic Transaminase
The full form of SGPT is “Serum Glutamic Pyruvic Transaminase (SGPT)”. It is an enzyme which is now known as Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) that is normally present in liver and heart cells. It is produced by the liver. So, it is found in high concentrations in liver cells and in moderate concentrations in kidney cells and in low concentrations in heart, pancreas, spleen, red blood cells and skeletal muscles. Some medications can also raise SGPT levels. It is released into the blood when the liver or the other organs that contain ALT are damaged. So, whenever there is damage to liver, the levels of ALT may increase as much as 50 times than the normal levels in the blood. The normal level of ALT in blood for males ranges from 29 to 33 units per liter and for females 19 to 25 units per liter. This value can be affected by the age of the patient. If the levels of ALT are higher than this range, there may be a liver disorder.
Why Would My Doctor Order This Test?
Your doctor might recommend ALT if you have symptoms of liver disease or damage, such as:
- Stomach pain or swelling
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Yellow skin or eyes (a condition called jaundice)
- Weakness
- Extreme tiredness (fatigue)
- Dark-colored urine
- Light-colored poop
- Itchy skin
Here are some reasons you might get this test:
- You’ve been exposed to the hepatitis virus.
- You drink a lot of alcohol.
- You have a family history of liver disease.
- You take medicine that’s known to cause liver damage.