Synonyms

   Serum Glutamic-Oxaloacetic Transaminase SGOT Aspartate Transaminase

Clinical Significance

   It is useful for Diagnosing and monitoring liver disease, particularly diseases resulting in a destruction of hepatocytes.

Specimen

   Serum

Stability

   Refrigerated (preferred) : 7 days

   Frozen : 30 days

   Ambient : 7 days

Reference Range

   Male : < 40 U/L

   Female : < 32 U/L

Interpretation

   Elevated aspartate aminotransferase (AST) values are seen in parenchymal liver diseases characterized by a destruction of hepatocytes. Very high levels of AST often reflect short-term liver damage while smaller but persistent elevations in AST over time can be tied to chronic conditions. However, because AST is found in other parts of the body, it can be elevated in the blood as a result of cell damage outside the liver.

Limitation

   It is also important to note that, by itself, having elevated AST is not proof of a medical problem. It is possible for healthy people with proper liver function to have an AST level outside the normal range, which can occur based on individual factors like age, sex, race, diet, exercise, or having taken medications that can affect AST.