Overview:

The AST (SGOT) test measures the level of aspartate aminotransferase, an enzyme found in the liver and other organs. It helps assess liver health and detect damage to liver cells or other tissues.

 

Risk Assessment:

Elevated AST may indicate:

• Liver diseases (e.g., hepatitis, cirrhosis)

• Heart disease or recent heart attack

• Muscle injury or disorders

• Alcoholic liver damage

• Certain medications or toxins

 

Normal Range:

• Adult Male: 10–40 U/L

• Adult Female: 9–32 U/L
  (Values may slightly vary between labs)

Interpretation:

• High AST: Suggests damage to liver, heart, or muscles.

• Mild elevation: May be due to fatty liver or medication use.

• Very high levels: May indicate acute liver injury or hepatitis.

• AST:ALT ratio: Used to differentiate between liver and non-liver causes (e.g., ratio >2 suggests alcoholic liver disease).

 

The AST (SGOT) test results analyse a blood sample collected from the arm's vein. Test preparation Before the test Your doctor will most likely prescribe a liver panel along with an SGOT (AST) test. Here are some considerations you will have to take: If the AST test alone is being tested, you do not require to fast before the test. If the doctor prescribed other liver function tests along with AST, you need to undergo an 8-12 hour fast before the test. Inform your doctor about over the counter (OTC) medications, drugs, and any herbal supplements you currently are on. During the test A nurse or phlebotomist will use your arm's vein to collect the blood sample. After the test When done hygienically and according to protocol, the SGOT (AST) test procedure poses no serious threats to an individual. Test inclusions: What parameters are included? SGOT (AST) test reports indicate the extent of damage to liver cells. An AST test, when combined with ALT test and several other liver function tests, accounts for: Detection of any liver dysfunction Confirmation and establishment of a diagnosis Detection of the severity of liver damage For screening, monitoring and prognosis of liver disease SGOT (AST) test is one of the essential biochemical parameters of liver function tests (LFTs). Other biochemical parameters to assess the healthy functioning of the liver includes: Tests based on excretory function, like serum bilirubin, bile salts, etc. Tests based on the detoxifying function of the liver, like blood ammonia. Tests based on synthesis function, like plasma proteins and prothrombin. Tests based on enzymatic function, like AST, ALT and ALP tests. Metabolic function tests of the liver.