What are enzyme tests?
An enzyme test is a blood test that measures certain enzyme levels to assess how well the bodys systems are functioning and whether there has been any tissue damage. SGOT (AST) and (ALT) is an enzyme found mostly in the liver but also in the heart, the muscles, the kidneys, the pancreas and in red blood cells. High elevations may be associated with liver disease or muscle trauma. Elevations may also be associated with a variety of conditions including myocardial infarction (heart attack), pancreatitis, bile duct obstruction and more. SGPT is also an enzyme found mostly in the liver. Unlike SGOT, SGPT has much less enzyme outside the liver. Its elevation is usually more specific to direct liver disease.
