Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST)

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AST is an enzyme that helps metabolize amino acids. Like ALT, AST is normally present in blood at low levels. An increase in AST levels may indicate liver damage, disease or muscle damage.

Also Known as : AST, Serum Glutamic-Oxaloacetic Transaminase, SGOT, GOT, Aspartate Transaminase, ASAT

Test Panel: Total Bilirubin, Conjagated Bilirubin, Unconjugated Bilirubin, ALT, AST, ALP, Total Protein, Albumin, Globulin, A/G ratio, GGT,

Why Get Tested :

The AST test is often recommended in the following situations:

AST diagnose any kind of liver disease.
This also helps in heart diseases to diagnose acute myocardial infarction.
to check for damage from liver infections, such as hepatitis B and hepatitis C
AST has done for follow up of the patient on treatment.
AST is done in routine in patients on chemotherapy.
AST may be advised in a patient with treatment on antituberculous treatment.

When to Get Tested :

if you already have a liver disease, to monitor the disease and how well a particular treatment is working
if you any Heart Disease
if you’re experiencing the symptoms of a liver disorder
if you have certain medical conditions such as high triglycerides, diabetes, high blood pressure, or anemia
if you drink alcohol heavily
if you have gallbladder disease

When AST Test Orderd :

A liver panel, or one or more of its components, may be ordered when someone is at risk for liver dysfunction. Some examples include:

People who take medications that may potentially damage the liver
Those who are alcoholics or heavy drinkers
Those who have a history of known or possible exposure to hepatitis viruses
Individuals whose families have a history of liver disease
People who are overweight, especially if they have diabetes and/or high blood pressure

A liver panel may be ordered when a person has signs and symptoms of liver disease; however, most people who have liver disease do not have any of these symptoms until the disease has been present for many years or is very severe. Some of these include:

Weakness, fatigue
Loss of appetite
Nausea, vomiting
Abdominal swelling and/or pain
Jaundice (yellowing of eyes or skin)
Dark urine, light-colored stool
Itching (pruritus)
Diarrhea

Usually no one single set of liver tests is used to make a diagnosis. Often, several liver panels will be ordered over a few days or weeks to help determine the cause of the liver disorder and evaluate its severity

Sample Required

This is done on the serum of the patient.
The random sample can be taken.
The serum is stable for 24 hours at Room temp. and 28 days at 4 °C.

Precaution For Sample

Avoid hemolysis because RBC contains AST and ALT which will increase the value.

AST Test Procedure

Normal value :

Age	Male U/L	Female U/L
Newborn to 1 Year	20 to 65	20 to 65
More then 1 Year	10 to 40	10 to 40

Increased SGOT level seen in:

Fulminant type of hepatitis especially viral type.
In liver cell necrosis or injury like chronic hepatitis,
Alcoholic hepatitis.
liver metastasis and Hepatoma (increase may be 5 to 10 folds and is of both enzymes).
In necrosis of heart muscle or skeletal muscle e.g acute myocardial infarction.
Severe exercise.
Severe burn.
Hypothyroidism ( in 40 to 90% of cases).
In cholestatic and obstructive jaundice.
May see a transient increase in acute pancreatitis, acute renal diseases, musculoskeletal diseases, or trauma.
Other diseases than liver and heart which can increase the level:
1. Hypothyroidism.
2. Dermatomyositis.
3. polymyositis.
4. Gangrene.
5. Toxic shock syndrome.
6. Shock.
7. Mushroom poisoning.
8. Pulmonary embolism and infarction.
9. Hemolytic anemia.
10. malignant hyperthermia.