Investigative algorithms for disorders affecting plasma transaminases (aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase)—a narrative review

Background and Objective: The following article is part of a special series to aid the reader in diagnosing unexpected abnormal test values. The panel of liver tests can vary in content but usually contains a transaminase activity, however, transaminases can be found in many other tissues and affected by a wide range of non-liver processes. The objective is to review the causes of low or high transaminase activity in human serum so that the reader will be able to order and interpret appropriate investigations when faced with a patient with unexpected abnormal transaminases. A detailed discussion of neonatal causes will be excluded.