SGPT and SGOT Test: What High Liver Enzymes Mean

You open your blood test report. You scan through the numbers. Everything looks fine, until you see something marked in bold or with a star next to it: SGPT – High or SGOT – High.

You might start thinking:

• Is something wrong with my liver?
  
  

• Is this dangerous?
  
  

• Do I need treatment?
  
  

• Can this be fixed?
  
  

If you are feeling confused or worried, that is completely normal. Many people panic when they see high liver enzymes because they don’t know what these numbers actually mean.

In this article, we’ll explain SGPT and SGOT in very simple terms. We’ll cover what these tests show, what high levels can mean, why they rise, how to reduce SGPT naturally.

What Are SGPT and SGOT?

When doctors check liver health, they often order a liver function test (LFT). Two important numbers you’ll see on that test are SGPT and SGOT. These are enzymes, a type of protein that liver cells usually keep inside them.

• SGPT (Serum Glutamic-Pyruvic Transaminase)
  SGPT is mostly found inside the liver cells. When the liver is injured, SGPT leaks into the bloodstream. Because it comes mainly from the liver, it’s a straightforward marker of liver health. When people say “ALT”, they mean the same thing as SGPT.
  
  

• SGOT (Serum Glutamic-Oxaloacetic Transaminase)
  SGOT is found in many body tissues, including the liver, heart, and muscles. When these tissues are damaged, SGOT can rise in the blood. This means a high SGOT isn’t always only about your liver.
  
  

Doctors often check both together because comparing them helps understand where the problem might be and how serious it is.

What Do “Normal” SGPT and SGOT Levels Look Like?

Normal ranges can vary slightly depending on the lab, but a common guideline shows:If your SGPT or SGOT numbers are slightly above these values, it doesn’t always mean disease it may just be mild stress on your liver. But if they are much higher than normal, it is a sign doctors take seriously and keep monitoring.

What High SGPT and SGOT Levels Mean

When your liver enzyme levels are high, it usually means your liver is feeling stressed or slightly hurt. The liver cells release enzymes like SGPT and SGOT into the blood when they are not working properly. It is important to understand one simple thing:

High liver enzymes are not a disease. They are just a signal that something may be bothering your liver.

Here’s how doctors interpret levels:

• Mild Elevation
  1–2 times above normal. May not be serious; could be temporary from exercise, mild inflammation, or fatty food.
  
  

• Moderate Elevation
  3–5 times above normal. Suggests more significant liver stress or inflammation.
  
  

• Severe Elevation
  More than 10 times normal. Could indicate strong liver injury or acute inflammation.
  
  

Very high numbers may require urgent medical care.

It’s important to remember: high SGOT and SGPT levels could mean liver problems, but they can also go up for other reasons too, like muscle injury or intense exercise.

Common Causes of High SGPT and SGOT

High liver enzymes can happen for many reasons. The most common are:

a) Fatty Liver Disease

Fatty liver means fat has built up in liver cells. This happens when you are overweight, have high cholesterol, diabetes, or make unhealthy food choices. It’s one of the leading causes of elevated SGPT/SGOT today.

Research shows that in people with fatty liver, the ratio of SGPT to SGOT tends to be higher, making this ratio a useful early marker of fatty liver disease. In one study of 200 people, the average ratio was about 1.34 in those with fatty liver.

b) Alcohol Use

Regular or excessive drinking inflames the liver and releases more enzymes. Heavy drinkers often have high liver enzyme levels.

c) Viral Hepatitis

Infections like Hepatitis A, B or C cause strong inflammation of the liver, often leading to high SGPT and SGOT.

d) Obesity and Diabetes

Both conditions are linked to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which can raise SGPT.

e) Medicines and Chemicals

Some drugs (like painkillers or cholesterol medicines) and toxins can stress liver cells and raise enzymes.

f) Heart and Muscle Injury

Because SGOT is also found in the heart and muscle, those tissues’ injury can raise SGOT without liver disease.

Symptoms When SGOT and SGPT Are High

Sometimes people with high SGPT or SGOT don’t feel sick at all. Other times, symptoms may point to liver stress:

• Feeling tired all the time
  
  

• Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)
  
  

• Pain in the upper right belly
  
  

• Dark urine or pale stools
  
  

• Loss of appetite or nausea
  
  

• Swelling in legs or abdomen
  
  

How to Reduce SGPT (and SGOT) Naturally

If your tests show high liver enzymes, your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes first. These habits help your liver heal gently over time.

Eat Liver-Friendly Foods

• Fresh fruits and vegetables
  
  

• Whole grains
  
  

• Lean proteins
  
  

• Antioxidant-rich foods like garlic, turmeric, and green tea
  Cut out processed foods, fried foods, and sugary drinks.
  
  

Stay Active

Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise daily. Walking, cycling, or simple yoga helps lower fat in liver cells and improves metabolism.

Avoid Alcohol and Smoking

Alcohol directly harms liver cells. Even quitting smoking helps the liver recover faster.

Drink Plenty of Water

Staying hydrated helps flush out toxins and supports liver function.

Check Medicines

Ask your doctor if any medications you take might affect your liver. Never self-medicate.

These steps are often parts of “how to reduce SGPT” advice because they help your liver cells regenerate more efficiently.

7. Medical Treatment for High Liver Enzymes

Sometimes, diet and exercise alone aren’t enough. In those cases, doctors may use:

• Medications to treat underlying causes like hepatitis
  
  

• Antiviral drugs for viral infections
  
  

• Cholesterol and diabetes medications to manage related conditions
  
  

• Special medicines to reduce inflammation and help liver cells heal
  
  

It’s very important not to take medicines or supplements without talking to your doctor because some products can raise liver enzymes instead of lowering them.

8. Fatty Liver and SGPT Levels

Fatty liver (either alcoholic or non-alcoholic) often causes SGPT to rise, but high SGPT alone doesn’t prove someone has fatty liver. To confirm fatty liver, doctors usually do an ultrasound or other imaging tests.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: What is the difference between SGPT and SGOT?

SGPT is mostly in the liver, so it’s a more direct sign of liver injury. SGOT is in many body tissues, so its rise could be from other injuries too.

Q2: Can exercise raise SGOT and SGPT?

Yes. Heavy workouts can temporarily raise liver enzymes, especially SGOT, because muscles also release it.

Q3: Is high SGPT always serious?

Not always. Mild elevations can be temporary. But consistent or very high levels need medical evaluation.

Q4: How long does it take to lower SGPT?

With healthy lifestyle changes, many people see improvements in a few weeks to months. But the time can vary depending on the cause.

Q5: Can kids have high SGPT or SGOT?

Yes. Liver enzyme elevations can happen at any age for the same reasons—such as infections, fatty liver, or medicines.

Conclusion

The SGPT and SGOT test results are powerful tools that help doctors see how well your liver is working. High liver enzymes don’t always mean severe disease, but they are a sign you should pay attention to your health. Knowing why these levels rise, and how to reduce SGPT through diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes can make a big difference in long-term liver health.

Always talk to a healthcare professional if your results are high or if you feel unwell. Liver problems often start quietly but they can be managed successfully with early care and lifestyle changes.