What does the ALT Activity result mean for my dog or my breeding program?

ALT Activity is a clinical tool and not a health result. This result is used to inform your vet that your dog’s healthy baseline may be slightly different than the average dog.

Our test screens an individual dog's genetic predisposition for Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) activity via a GPT genetic variant. ALT is one of several enzymes produced by the liver that a veterinarian checks via blood work to check for or monitor liver damage (inflammation, infection, tumor, toxin, etc). 

Importantly, this genetic predisposition is not a health problem. It is also not an ALT blood level result like what a veterinarian would monitor. This clinical tool informs that some dogs may have a low-normal ALT baseline.

Human body temperature is a helpful analogy for ALT activity. Some people run hot, some run cool, and some people have a baseline temp of 98.6 degrees. Having a lower or higher baseline temperature isn't a health concern, but a useful piece of information to share with one's doctor. If your normal temperature is 97.2 degrees, then you may be concerned about a fever at 99.5 degrees, whereas someone whose normal temperature is 99 degrees would be less likely to detect a fever with a reading of 99.5 degrees.

Similarly, having lower than average baseline ALT activity is not a health risk, but merely a piece of information we'd encourage you to share with your vet so that they may better understand your dog’s blood ALT levels. (You can email your vet our Veterinary Report directly through your dog's profile.) Just like body temperature, even healthy ALT levels are not the same every time they are measured.

While breeding decisions can be complex, lower-than-average baseline ALT activity is typically not a reason to remove a dog from a breeding program. 

You can also find more information about ALT on our Your Dog Has a High Chance of Low ALT. Should You Worry?

Have questions? Your MyEmbark account includes information about your dog's sample status, your dog's results, and many other helpful resources. Log in to your account here!