Alanine Aminotransferase

An ALT of 36 U/L is within the normal range for most labs, which typically top out around 40 to 56 U/L. It's in the upper-normal zone rather than elevated, and on its own it isn't a cause for concern. Common everyday reasons for an upper-normal ALT include recent intense exercise, some extra body fat around the liver, and alcohol — your physician reads it alongside AST and GGT.

A typical normal ALT range is about 7 to 56 U/L, though the exact upper limit varies by lab and some newer guidelines use lower thresholds. ALT (alanine aminotransferase) is the more liver-specific of the two main transaminases, so an isolated ALT rise points more directly at the liver than AST does. Compare your value to the reference range on your own report.

A low ALT of around 6 U/L is generally not a concern. Low transaminase values simply mean little enzyme is leaking from the liver, which isn't a disease state, and no treatment is needed. There's no target to raise ALT toward, so an isolated low value can usually be ignored unless your doctor is investigating something specific.

Injectable testosterone at replacement doses is not hepatotoxic and shouldn't meaningfully strain the liver — this is very different from oral 17-alpha-alkylated anabolic steroids, which can raise liver enzymes significantly. If your ALT is up on testosterone alone, the usual culprits are recent intense lifting, alcohol, weight gain, or fatty liver rather than the TRT. Intense training can bump ALT and AST transiently, so it helps to avoid a hard workout in the days before a blood draw.