The Full form of ALT is Alanine Aminotransferase. ALT is an enzyme normally present in liver and heart cells that is released into the bloodstream when the liver or heart is damaged. With the damage of liver (for example, from viral hepatitis), or with an insult to the heart (for example, from a heart attack), the blood ALT levels are elevated. Some medications can also raise ALT levels. ALT is also called SGPT (Serum Glutamic Pyruvic Transaminase). The doctor can use this test to find out if a drug, disease, or injury has damaged your liver. The liver does a lot of important things for you, like; it makes a fluid called bile that helps your body digest food, it removes waste products and other toxins from your blood, it produces proteins and cholesterol. Diseases such as cirrhosis and hepatitis can damage the liver and prevent it from doing its many important jobs. The doctor might recommend ALT if you have symptoms of liver damage or disease, such as: stomach pain or swelling, nausea, vomiting, yellow skin or eyes (a condition called jaundice), weakness, fatigue (extreme tiredness), dark-colored urine, light-colored poop, or itchy skin.