Blood and lab tests
What Are Transaminases? Raised Liver Enzymes Explained
Transaminase · say it: trans-AM-ih-naysAlso written: transaminases, aminotransferase, liver enzymes, ALT and AST, elevated transaminases
Short answer
Transaminases are liver enzymes, mainly ALT and AST, measured in blood tests. Raised levels can be a sign the liver is irritated or injured.
What it means
Transaminases, also called aminotransferases, are enzymes that help cells process proteins. The two measured most often are ALT (alanine aminotransferase) and AST (aspartate aminotransferase). They are mostly found inside liver cells; AST is also found in muscle and the heart. When liver cells are irritated or damaged, these enzymes leak into the blood and the blood level rises. Your report prints its own reference range.
Medicine labels say 'elevated transaminases' or 'monitor liver enzymes' because many medicines, such as some cholesterol medicines, antifungals, TB medicines and anti-epileptics, can raise them. A mild rise can be temporary and harmless, while a large rise, especially with symptoms such as yellow skin or eyes, dark urine or tummy pain, may be a sign of liver injury that needs prompt medical review. Labels often set out when blood tests are needed.
Transaminases are part of 'liver function tests', together with bilirubin, ALP and albumin. They show liver cell irritation, but they do not directly measure how well the liver is working.
Where you may see it
- The 'Warnings' section of statin, antifungal and TB medicine labels
- Liver function test (LFT) blood reports
- Monitoring plans for long-term medicines
📄 How it looks on a report
Elevations in serum transaminases have been reported. Monitor liver enzymes before and during treatment.
🙅 What it does not mean
- A mildly raised transaminase result does not necessarily mean liver damage; it can have many causes, including recent exercise.
- Normal transaminases do not prove the liver is perfectly healthy in every way.
- A raised level on a medicine does not always mean it must be stopped; your doctor will decide.
🗒️ Questions to ask your doctor
🧾 Reports where you will see “Transaminase”
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💊 Medicines whose labels mention “Transaminase”
Plain-English explanations of each medicine, from its official FDA label.
- Albendazole
an anthelmintic drug, a medicine used to treat infections caused by parasitic worms
- Amlodipine
a calcium channel blocker, a type of medicine that relaxes blood vessels
- Aripiprazole
an atypical antipsychotic medicine
- Divalproex Sodium
An anti-epileptic (anti-seizure) drug of the valproate type. The label also uses it to treat manic episodes of bipolar disorder and to prevent migraine headaches.
- Rifampin
an antibiotic of the rifamycin type
- Rosuvastatin
a cholesterol-lowering medicine of the statin type (an HMG CoA reductase inhibitor)
- Warfarin Sodium
A blood thinner (anticoagulant) of the vitamin K antagonist type. The label says it acts by blocking vitamin K-dependent clotting factors.
🔗 Read more from trusted sources
- “Transaminase” on MedlinePlus ↗
US National Library of Medicine
- NCI Dictionary definition ↗
US National Cancer Institute: “transaminase”
- MedlinePlus lab test guides ↗
US National Library of Medicine
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