Friday, February, 10, 2012

AST

Table of Contents

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

Note: Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.


What abnormal results mean

Diseases that affect liver cells increase the levels of AST. However, increased levels of AST alone do not diagnose liver disease. Measuring ALT at the same time can help narrow the cause of the abnormal test results.

An increase in AST levels may be due to:

  • Acute kidney failure
  • Cirrhosis (scarring of the liver)
  • Heart attack
  • Hemochromatosis
  • Hemolytic anemia
  • Hepatitis
  • Lack of blood flow to the liver (liver ischemia)
  • Liver tumor
  • Medicines that are toxic to the liver
  • Mononucleosis ("mono")
  • Muscle disease or trauma
  • Pancreatitis (swollen and inflamed pancreas)

AST levels may also increase after:

  • Burns (deep)
  • Heart procedures
  • Seizure
  • Surgery

Review Date: 02/20/2011
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)