The enzymes frequently associated with liver damage are aminotransferases which catalyze the reversible transfer of one amino group between an amino acid and an alpha-keto acid. Its function is to form the amino acids needed to build protein in the liver.
One of them is alanine aminotransferase (ALT) which transfers an amino group between alanine and alpha-keto-glutamic acid. One of the tests that can be applied to see liver damage is the SGOT/SGPT test.
Serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT) is an enzyme normally found in the liver, kidneys, heart and brain. Meanwhile, serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGTP) is an enzyme that is commonly found in the liver. It can also be found in other organs in small amounts.
The function of SGPT and SGOT is the same, which is to play a role in the digestive system. Both help digest protein in the body. Meanwhile, the normal limits for SGPT and SGOT levels in the body are SGOT: 5-40 µ/L (micro per liter) and SGPT: 7-56 µ/L (micro per liter).
If it exceeds this limit, it is likely that Grameds will experience impaired liver function or other diseases. Grameds doesn’t need to be afraid when carrying out SGPT and SGOT examinations. Launching from the Hellosegat.com page, the following are the steps for taking blood vessel samples for SGPT and SGOT examinations.
- Clean skin.
- Attaching an elastic band (tourniquet) to the area to be sampled.
- Insert the needle in the arm inside the elbow or the back of the hand.
- Draw blood sample into vial.
- Release the rubber band and remove the needle from the vein.
Conditions That Increase SGOT SGPT Levels
In Sacher’s view, there are several conditions that can increase SGPT. Here are the details.
- Increased SGPT > 20 times normal: acute viral hepatitis, liver necrosis (drug or chemical toxicity).
- Increased 3-10 times normal: mononuclear infections, chronic active hepatitis, extra hepatic biliary obstruction, Reye’s syndrome and myocardial infarction (SGOT> SGPT).
- Increased 1-3 times normal: pancreatitis, fatty liver, Laennec’s cirrhosis and biliary cirrhosis.
Launching from the Hellosehat.com page, there are several things that can increase SGot SGPT levels in the body as follows.
- Side effects of pain relievers such as acetaminophen
- Certain prescription drugs, including statin drugs to control cholesterol
- Alcohol dependence
- Heart failure
- Hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C
- Cytomegalovirus (cmv) infection
- Nonalcoholic fatty liver
- Autoimmune hepatitis
- Obesity
- Celiac disease
- Virus Epstein-barr
- Hemochromatosis
- Mononucleosis
- Polymyositis
- Sepsis
- Thyroid disorders
- Wilson’s disease
Characteristics of High SGOT SGOT
High SGOT SGPT examination results do not mean there is impaired liver function. Impaired liver function can be seen from the symptoms that are felt in the body. When these symptoms appear too often, it is better to see a doctor. Summarizing from the Hellosehat.com page, here are some symptoms that the body feels when there is an abnormality in liver function.
- Get tired
- Drastic weight loss
- Skin and eyes turn yellow
- Swelling in several parts of the body, such as the stomach and eyes
- Urine changes color and becomes more concentrated
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Pain in the stomach
Impaired liver function not only causes high levels of SGOT and SGPT, but also affects blood cells and other enzymes in the body. When the results of the SGOT and SGPT examinations are high, doctors usually recommend doing other tests.
Launching from the Hellosehat.com page, the doctor will observe the levels of the following enzymes in the body.
- Bilirubin: excess bilirubin indicates liver problems.
- Alanine transaminase: an enzyme that helps digest protein in the liver into energy.
- Aspartate transaminase: an enzyme that helps digest amino acids.
- Alkaline phosphatase: an enzyme normally found in the liver and bones. If the level of this enzyme exceeds the normal limit, you are at risk of suffering from bone disease or liver disorders.
- Gamma-glutamyltransferase : an enzyme found in the blood that maintains the smoothness of the bile ducts.
- L-lactate dehydrogenase: this enzyme is present in the liver and can be a sign of a serious health problem when present in high amounts.
- Prothrombin time (PT): time it takes for blood to clot. Increased PT can be caused by consumption of blood thinners.
Factors Affecting SGOT SGPT Examination
SGPT examination results can be influenced by several factors as follows.
1. Preanalytical factors
The preanalytical stage is the initial preparation stage. This stage determines the quality of the sample which in the future will also affect the results of the examination. Following are the things that influence the pre-analytical stage.
- Understanding instructions and filling out forms.
- Preparation of the patient before laboratory tests, namely fasting for 8-10 hours, being able to drink only water and not doing strenuous activities, can increase SGPT levels.
- Plasma and serum sampling must be carried out in an appropriate manner, in the appropriate volume, using the correct tools and materials of good quality.
- Incompatible anticoagulant composition.
- Hemolysis of blood specimens can affect laboratory findings.
- IM injections may increase serum ALT levels.
- Certain drugs that increase serum ALT levels can affect test findings.
- Alcohol consumption.
- Salicylates that can cause false positive or negative serum levels
2. Analytical Factors
The analytical stage is one of the SGPT inspection processes in the form of working on sample testing to obtain examination results. Matters that affect the analytical stage include calibration of laboratory equipment, sample examination, quality of reagents, accuracy and accuracy.
3. Postanalytic Factors
Post-analytic is the final stage of examination to provide confidence that the test results issued are truly valid. Meanwhile, the influential factors in the post-analytic stage are the recording of examination results, interpretation of results, and reporting of examination results.
Meanwhile, on the Hellosehat.com page it is stated that when the SGOT examination results are high, it means that one of the organs or muscles that contain this enzyme is damaged. This condition can occur in the muscles, heart, liver, and kidneys.
The factors that cause an increase in SGOT are not much different from SGPT, including the following.
- Hepatitis A, hepatitis B and hepatitis C virus infections
- Damage to the circulatory system
- Liver cirrhosis
- Hepatitis alcoholic
- After having a heart attack
- Exposure to toxic substances
- Side effects of overuse of drugs, such as acetaminophen
Tips for Maintaining SGOT SGPT Enzyme Levels
When the SGOT SGPT examination results are high which is caused by liver damage. So, there will be a series of blood tests that need to be done, namely albumin, bilirubin, and prothrombin.
SGOT SGPT enzyme levels themselves change over time. However, to keep the levels normal, there are some tips shared by the Hellosehat.com page as follows.
1. Avoid Fatty Foods
Fatty foods are one of the factors that cause damage to enzymes. SGOT and SGPT enzymes function as fat breakers. However, if too much fat enters, the liver is unable to process it and causes liver cell damage.
Although fatty foods are not the only reason that causes liver dysfunction. However, Grameds still needs to avoid fatty foods. It’s better to eat healthy foods that are rich in fiber such as vegetables and fruit to maintain liver health.
2. Stop Consuming Alcohol
Drinking drinks that contain alcohol is one of the causes of liver damage. The liver is an organ that functions as a neutralizer and filter toxins from the blood. Meanwhile, alcoholic beverages contain toxic substances which will be processed in the liver.
If you consume too much and in a short time, the liver is no longer able to process the incoming poison. This causes damage to liver cells. Thus, SGOT and SGPT will start to increase.
3. Take medicine according to the rules
Drugs that enter the body will be processed directly by the liver because they are considered poisons. The main function of drugs is indeed to relieve disease, but some drugs can damage the liver when consumed carelessly and excessively.
This makes the liver work harder and the levels of the SGOT enzymes and SGPT enzymes will increase. Therefore, Grameds must always consult with a doctor about the drugs he is taking. Especially when Grameds has liver disease.
4. Exercising Routine
Diligent exercise is important to maintain liver function and help reduce high SGOT and SGPT. Grameds can try to exercise every day for 30 minutes. Exercise can be done in stages ranging from mild to moderate. Like, walking or running. By exercising, the pile of fat in the body will also be burned.
