Enzymes and Proteins— Blood Tests to Detect Cell Damage
When cells are damaged, enzymes are released into the bloodstream.
Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT; also called SGPT)
Goal value:
Preparation
This test may be measured any time of the day without fasting.
ALT is an enzyme that is measured to detect liver disease, hepatitis. It may increase with use of some medications.
Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST; also called SGOT)
Goal value:
Preparation
This test may be measured any time of the day without fasting.
AST is an enzyme that is released into the bloodstream following injury or death of cells. Increased AST is seen with liver disease, myocardial infarction (MI) and some medications.
Creatinine (CR)
Goal value:
Preparation
This test may be measured any time of the day without fasting.
CR is found in the blood. It becomes elevated with illness, kidney disease, muscle injury and some medications.
Creatine Kinase (CK)
Goal value:
CK may also be reported as percentages: CKBB: 0%; CKMB: 0 - 4% ;CKMM: 96 - 100%
Preparation
This test may be measured any time of the day without fasting.
CK is an enzyme found in the heart and muscles. Increased CK-MB is seen with heart muscle damage. Increased CK-MM is noted with skeletal muscle injury. Strenuous exercise, weight lifting, surgical procedures, high doses of aspirin and other medications can elevate CK.
Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)
Goal value:
Preparation
This test may be measured any time of the day without fasting.
LDH is the enzyme released in the blood with cell injury. It is often used as a late marker to detect a heart attack. It is also elevated with liver and kidney disease, pernicious and megaloblastic anemias, malignancy, progressive muscular dystrophy, and pulmonary emboli.
Myoglobin (Mb)
Goal value:
Preparation
This test may be measured any time of the day without fasting. Vigorous exercise right before the test may raise myoglobin levels.
Myoglobin is a protein found in certain types of muscle. Elevated myoglobin may indicate muscle injury or inflammation.
Troponin T (cTNT)
Goal value:
Preparation
This test may be measured any time of the day without fasting.
Troponin T is a protein found in the blood and is related to contraction of the heart muscle. Troponin T is valuable for detecting heart muscle damage and risk.
Ultra Sensitive C-reactive Protein (US-CRP)
