AST

Alternative names:

aspartate aminotransferase; serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase; SGOT

Normal values:

The normal range is 10 to 34 IU/L.

Note: IU/L = international units per liter

What abnormal results mean:

Diseases that affect liver cells cause the release of AST. The AST/ALT ratio (with both elevated) is usually greater than 1.0 in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis, liver congestion, and metastatic tumor of the liver. Ratios less than 1 occur in patients with acute hepatitis, viral hepatitis, and infectious mononucleosis.

An increase in AST levels may indicate:

• acute hemolytic anemia
• acute pancreatitis
• acute renal failure
• hepatic (liver) cirrhosis
• hepatic (liver) necrosis (tissue death)
• hepatitis
• infection mononucleosis
• liver cancer
• multiple trauma
• myocardial infarction (heart attack)
• primary muscle disease
• progressive muscular dystrophy
• recent cardiac catheterization or angioplasty
• recent convulsion
• recent surgery
• severe deep burn
• skeletal muscle trauma

Additional conditions under which the test may be performed:

• Wilson's disease