Turnaround times
The quoted turnaround time is from sample receipt in the laboratory, to results authorisation in the Laboratory Information Management system. The times do not include transport of specimen to the laboratory or the administrative process to print and post/email reports. Service users must allow for transport and reporting time when ordering tests.
Clinical background :
ALT is an intracellular cytoplasmic enzyme. It is widely distributed throughout the body’s tissues, with the greatest amounts in liver and the kidneys. It is a key enzyme in gluconeogenesis. ALT present in the plasma is presumed to be derived from the normal turnover of tissue cells; increased quantities are found in tissue damage (particularly hepatic cell damage).
Specimen container paediatric:
Serum (SST or plain tube)
Specimen container adult:
Serum (SST or plain tube)
Minimum volume paediatric:
0.5 mL blood
Minimum volume adult:
1 mL blood
Sample stability:
Unseparated sample: 4 days
Separate sample: 3 days at 15-25C, 7 days at 2-8C, >7 days at -80C
Availability:
24/7, analysed at RVI and Freeman
Reference ranges:
All ages: 0 – 40 U/L
Other info:
Lithium heparin plasma sample also acceptable