Aspartate Aminotransferase: What Your Results Mean

Name: AST (Aspartate Aminotransferase): What It Is and What Your Results Mean
Creator: Ernestas K.

Bottom line: AST is a liver enzyme. Normal is 5-40 U/L. High AST may indicate liver damage, heart problems, or muscle injury.

What Is Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST)?

Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), also known as SGOT (serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase), is an enzyme found in various tissues throughout your body, most notably in the liver, heart, muscles, kidneys, and brain. It plays a crucial role in amino acid metabolism, helping to break down and build proteins. When these tissues are damaged or inflamed, AST is released into the bloodstream, causing its levels to rise. Therefore, measuring AST in your blood can provide valuable clues about the health of these organs.

Doctors order AST tests as part of a comprehensive assessment, often alongside other liver function tests, to help detect and monitor liver damage caused by conditions like hepatitis, cirrhosis, or drug toxicity. However, because AST is present in other organs like the heart and muscles, an elevated AST level doesn't always pinpoint the liver as the sole source of damage. Your healthcare provider will consider your symptoms and other test results to determine the significance of your AST level.

Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) Reference Ranges

Classification	Range (U/L)
Very Low	0 - 5
Low	6 - 15
Normal	16 - 40
High	41 - 70
Very High	71 - 200+

What Affects Your Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) Levels?

Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis, fatty liver)
Heart attack (myocardial infarction)
Muscle injury or strenuous exercise
Certain medications (e.g., statins, some antibiotics)
Alcohol consumption
Hemolysis (breakdown of red blood cells)
Kidney disease
Pregnancy

When to Get Tested

Your doctor may order an AST test if you have symptoms suggestive of liver damage, such as jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), abdominal pain, fatigue, nausea, or loss of appetite. It's also commonly included in routine liver function panels to screen for liver disease, especially if you have risk factors like a history of hepatitis, heavy alcohol use, or are taking medications that can affect the liver. Additionally, AST levels are monitored in individuals with known liver conditions to track the progression of the disease or the effectiveness of treatment.

Look Up Your Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) Result

Select your value below to see a detailed breakdown of what it means:

Read the Full Blood Test Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a high Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) level mean?

A high AST level generally indicates that there might be damage or inflammation in tissues where AST is found, most commonly the liver. It can also suggest problems with the heart, muscles, or other organs. Your doctor will interpret this result in the context of your overall health and other tests.

Can exercise affect my AST levels?

Yes, strenuous or prolonged physical activity can temporarily increase AST levels due to muscle breakdown. This is usually a benign cause, and the levels typically return to normal within a few days after exercise stops. It's a good idea to inform your doctor if you've exercised intensely before your blood draw.

Is a low Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) level a cause for concern?

Low AST levels are generally not considered a medical concern and do not typically require further investigation. They are less common than high levels and usually do not indicate any significant health problems. Some studies suggest very low levels might be associated with conditions like vitamin B6 deficiency, but this is not a common clinical finding.

Ernestas K.

Clinical Research Writer