Clinical Biochemistry Laboratory – Change in method for Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT)

On Thursday 20th May the Clinical Biochemistry laboratory are making a change to the method used for the Alanine Aminotranferase (ALT) test. ALT is part of the Liver Function Test (LFT) profile and is used to diagnose and monitor liver inflammation or injury. This change is part of a project to deploy the next generation of Clinical Biochemistry equipment across the Peterborough City Hospital and Hinchingbrooke Hospital sites. 

The new method is standardised against the International Federation for Clinical Chemistry (IFCC) reference, and is the recommended method for use in calculations such as FIB4. 

ALT results with the new method are approximately 10% higher (so a result of 100U/L on the current method would be expected to be approximately 110U/L with the new method). Updated reference ranges will also be applied. A report comment will be added to reports advising of the method change during this period of transition. 

If you have any queries regarding this change or would like more information, please feel free to contact the laboratory on peh-tr.chemimm@nhs.net.