CPT® Code 84460

The CPT® Code 84460 refers to the measurement of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), an important enzyme primarily located in the liver and muscle cells. This enzyme was historically known as serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT). The measurement of ALT levels in the blood is a critical diagnostic tool used to assess liver function and detect potential liver damage or disease. Elevated ALT levels can indicate various conditions, including liver diseases such as hepatitis and cirrhosis, as well as ischemia, drug toxicity, and muscle damage, particularly in the cardiac muscle, which may occur during a myocardial infarction. This blood test is frequently ordered alongside aspartate aminotransferase (AST) testing, identified by CPT® Code 84450, or other liver function tests to provide a comprehensive evaluation of liver health and to monitor patients who are undergoing treatment with cholesterol-lowering medications. The test is performed by obtaining a blood sample through venipuncture, which is separately reportable, and the serum or plasma is then analyzed using a quantitative enzymatic method to determine the ALT levels accurately.