Aminotransferase (AST) is an enzyme that’s present in various tissues of your body. An enzyme is a protein that helps trigger chemical reactions that your body needs to function.
AST is found in the highest concentrations in your liver, muscles, heart, kidney, brain and red blood cells. A small amount of AST is typically in your bloodstream. Higher-than-normal amounts of this enzyme in your blood may be a sign of a health problem. Abnormal levels can be associated with liver injury.
AST levels increase when there’s damage to the tissues and cells where the enzyme is found. AST levels can rise as soon as six hours after damage to tissue occurs. The normal range for AST is higher from birth to age 3 compared to the normal ranges for older children and adults.
The AST test measures the amount of AST in your blood that has been released from injured tissue. An older name for the test is serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT).
Doctors commonly use the AST test to check for liver conditions, such as hepatitis. It’s usually measured together with alanine aminotransferase (ALT) According to liver specialists, abnormal ALT results are more likely related to liver injury than abnormal AST results. In fact, if AST levels are abnormal and ALT levels are normal, the problem is much more likely due to a heart condition or muscle problem rather than the liver. In some cases, the AST-to-ALT ratio may help your doctor diagnose certain liver diseases.
The AST test is performed on a blood sample. A healthcare provider usually takes the sample from a vein in your arm or hand using a small needle. They collect the blood in a tube and send it to a lab for analysis. Your doctor will inform you about your results when they become available.
Although no special preparations are necessary for the AST test, you should always tell your doctor about any medications you’re taking prior to a blood draw.
The risks of the AST test are minimal. You may experience some discomfort when the blood sample is drawn. You may have pain at the puncture site during or after the test.
Other potential risks of a blood draw include:
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